Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Biden administration plans wind farms along nearly the entire U.S. coastline
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced that her agency will formally begin the process of identifying federal waters to lease to wind developers by 2025. WASHINGTON – The Biden administration announced on Wednesday a plan to develop large-scale wind farms along nearly the entire coastline of the United States, the first long-term strategy from the government to produce electricity from offshore turbines. Speaking at a wind power industry conference in Boston, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said that her agency will begin to . . . Complete story »
The nays have it: Stanton Township survey finds 83% opposed to wind turbines; planning commission idea to go to referendum
STANTON TOWNSHIP – Stanton Township voters opposed wind turbine projects by a large margin in survey results announced Wednesday, months before they will likely head to the polls to formally vote on creating a planning commission that could write a zoning ordinance restricting the turbines. About 83% of the 384 voters who responded to the survey were against the turbines, Township Supervisor Marty Rajala announced Wednesday. The board decided in August to send the survey to every registered voter in the . . . Complete story »
Proposed Sandy Point wind farm meeting up with questions and some opposition in southwest N.S.
SANDY POINT, NS – A number of citizens in the Municipality of Shelburne are raising concerns and questions about a proposed wind farm for Sandy Point. At the top of the list is why did Shelburne Municipal Council write a letter of support for the proposed project without consulting with area residents? “Community Wind Farms Inc. has proposed a large-scale wind farm for the land between Sandy Point, Jordan Bay, and Jordan Ferry. Although our local government claim that the . . . Complete story »
Townships remain against windmills
A fight continues between Stanton and Adams Twp. residents against Circle Power over the development of 12 industrial wind turbines in Adams Twp. The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge, a non-profit has been assisting the townships in education and outreach to help block the developers. During Wednesday’s Stanton Twp. board meeting it was revealed that out of a survey of 384 residents, 83% oppose windmill development. The survey results came in only days after Circle Power, a Royal Oak Company, . . . Complete story »
Two commissioners silent on citizen request to stop talking with RWE
OSWEGO – Voters of the 2nd District in Labette County on Tuesday requested the county commission end all communication with RWE Renewables, the German utility company looking to develop a wind farm in the county, until after the recall election, but commissioners did not move forward with the request. Chairman Lonie Addis entertained a motion to suspend all communication with the company following rural Parsons resident Dana Eggers’ presentation to commissioners during public comment, but the motion died for lack of . . . Complete story »
Apex wins appeal to continue planning wind farm in Botetourt County
A clean energy company’s efforts to bring a wind farm to Botetourt County is again in motion, for now. The project has seen a myriad of setbacks since it was announced in 2015, but the latest came in July when the county’s zoning administrator ruled that the developer of Rocky Forge Wind did not qualify for a statewide exemption passed by the General Assembly for some projects that were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because a final site plan was . . . Complete story »
Vulture’s death by wind turbine could have been avoided, says minister
The death of the bearded vulture which was hit by the blade of a wind turbine in Wieringerwerf in May, could have been prevented if an advanced bird detection system had been in place, caretaker agriculture minister Carola Schouten has said in answer to MPs’ questions. Bearded vultures, whose wingspan can reach some three metres, are one of the largest birds in Europe and on the ‘near threatened’ list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which means . . . Complete story »
Medina County prepares to act on new renewable energy authority
MEDINA – New local authority to restrict solar and wind energy projects could soon be acted on by Medina County commissioners. Ohio Senate Bill 52, which went into effect Monday, allows county commissioners to establish restricted areas where large-scale renewable projects cannot take place. The authority only applies to unincorporated township land and not cities or villages. Renewable energy work already underway has been grandfathered in and won’t be limited in accordance with SB 52, according to legislators. Medina County Commissioner . . . Complete story »
Winnebago County supervisors study Invenergy proposed wind project issues
Winnebago County supervisors continue to do their homework and due diligence when it comes to the Worthwhile Wind Project of Invenergy proposed for Worth and Winnebago Counties. It is in Norway Township where residents have raised concerns in Winnebago County, which is slated for far fewer turbines than Worth County. Worth County Zoning Commission Chair Jeff Gorball met with supervisors on Oct. 5 to discuss how Worth County has addressed zoning on the proposed wind turbines. He said a prior . . . Complete story »
Two Norway wind farms lose licence in landmark ruling over indigenous rights
Norway’s supreme court stripped two wind farms of their operating licences on Monday in a case that could boost the legal rights of the country’s indigenous Sami people. Reindeer herders in Norway argue the sight and sound of wind turbines frighten animals grazing nearby and thus jeopardise age-old traditions, and that land should not be expropriated for such projects. The supreme court case centred on whether the construction of turbines at Storheia and Roan in the Fosen region of central . . . Complete story »
