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Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
Offshore Wildlife Accidents Complaints Wins
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to provide information about industrial wind energy development to readers seeking such information. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the credited organizations or individuals and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
US Government reaches USD 1.2 billion offshore wind exit deal with RWE
RWE and the US Department of the Interior (DOI) have reached a settlement agreement under which RWE will relinquish its offshore wind leases in the New York Bight and off the coasts of California and Louisiana in exchange for USD 1.22 billion (around EUR 1.06 billion) in settlement funds. The agreement resolves RWE U.S. Offshore’s claims against the US government and brings an end to the company’s development plans associated with the three lease areas. RWE said it had invested . . . Complete story »
Monastery fights back on proposed wind farm project
For the third time in its nearly 100-year history in Jordanville, the Holy Trinity Monastery is faced with the possibility that wind turbines could surround the peaceful land that draws thousands of pilgrims each year to its grounds. “We have people coming here to stay from Europe, Canada, South America,” said Rev. Luke Murianka, Vicar Bishop Eastern American Diocese. “They are all over the world; wherever the exiles fled from communism, they set up their churches. This is an international . . . Complete story »
Wind-tower buffer zone mulled by Commissioners
Provisions that will create a wind turbine buffer zone around Pomeroy to that towers will not be visible from the Downtown Historic District were discussed by Garfield County Commissioners August 3. Commissioners approved a motion to appoint Scott Linja of Keller Associates Inc. as temporary County Engineer, and in a separate action, an agreement for professional services with Keller Associates Inc. for Green Energy Project Engineering Support was approved. Commissioners decided to ask County Prosecutor Matt Newberg to draft a . . . Complete story »
Scottish island sends defiant message to energy giants over wind farm that will dwarf community
Residents on one of Scotland’s most famous islands have sent a defiant message to energy bosses about plans for an offshore wind farm that will dwarf their community. ScottishPower Renewables wants to construct up to 144 turbines on waters 13 miles off the coats of Iona. Some of the turbines will be up to 335 metres high – taller than the Eiffel Tower – and will cover an area of 448 square kilometres, around 50 times larger than Iona. The . . . Complete story »
Climate change is real, but it is an unfortunate fact that renewables are useless
Panic, always a mistake, is most dangerous when the problem is real. And the ill-informed panic of the educated is worst of all, since it guarantees the selection of specious and even counterproductive remedies. The last 25 years of British energy policy is an extended demonstration of that principle, and it finds its latest echo in Tim Stanley’s recent Telegraph piece on the French fires. There is no question that the situation in France is grave, but one televised summer . . . Complete story »
Plans to stop wind farm deterioration given green light
Plans to undertake remedial works to stop the deterioration of a large wind farm have been given the green light. SSE applied to South Ayrshire Council for a certificate of lawfulness for proposed remedial works on 51 turbines at the Hadyard Hill Wind Farm. The site is located around 7km to the east of Girvan and 3km to the north of the village of Barr. At the time of construction in 2006, it was the UK’s largest onshore wind farm . . . Complete story »
Third wind turbine failure in North Fork Ridge Wind Farm, Barton County, Mo.
Three events have occurred separately over the past three years. About noon Friday locals tell us they heard a wind turbine collapse in the North Fork Ridge Wind Farm. November 2023: wind turbine struck by lightning on the west side of Highway 43 in North Fork Ridge Wind Farm. Two blades came off the turbine. January 2024: massive collapse of wind turbine north of Hwy 126, west of State Route O. The blades and base all collapsed into a pile . . . Complete story »
‘Towering’ wind turbine given thumbs down
Plans for a new wind turbine at an Amazon distribution centre have been rejected following concerns over its impact on the landscape. The technology giant had applied to build the 410ft (125m) structure next to one of its centres in Bowburn, County Durham, as part of plans to make it largely self-sufficient in its electricity needs. But Durham County Council received more than 150 objections, including from neighbours concerned it would “tower over” the surrounding landscape. Its planning committee has . . . Complete story »
Ross-shire Carn Fearna Wind Farm proposal set to spark Highland Council objection
Deeply controversial plans for a wind farm with turbines higher than London’s Gherkin in an iconic area of Ross-shire look set to spark a formal objection from Highland Council. The Carn Fearna Wind Farm Limited proposal seeks a 50-year permission for nine turbines, the largest of which would have a a maximum blade tip height of 200m. Highland Council previously refused the application for Carn Gorm Wind Farm which was proposed for the same site, on the grounds it would . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine collapses at Barton County Liberty Utilities wind farm
On Friday afternoon, a wind turbine at the North Fork Ridge Wind Farm collapsed. No one was at the site when it fell. Liberty Utilities officials say crews are working to secure the site and will provide more information as it becomes available. Liberty sent the following statement to KOAM. “We are aware of an incident involving a wind tower at our North Fork Ridge Wind Farm in a rural area in Barton County. Crews are working to secure the . . . Complete story »