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.
Controversial Kahuku wind farm subject of another court hearing
For the second time in as many months, the Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday heard oral arguments in a case that seeks to undermine the controversial Na Pua Makani wind farm in Kahuku. This time the high court heard an appeal from the environmental nonprofit group Life of the Land, which is seeking to invalidate the state Public Utilities Commission’s approval of an agreement between Hawaiian Electric Co. and the wind farm’s developers for the purchase of wind energy. Attorneys . . . Complete story »
What should Texas do with its old wind turbine blades?
SWEETWATER, Texas—This west Texas city greets its visitors with a huge wind turbine blade with the words “Welcome to Sweetwater. Wind Energy Capital of North America” painted across the 160-foot structure. The blade stands as a symbol of the importance of the wind energy industry to this city on the edge of the Texas plains. Texas produces more wind energy than any other state in the country, much of it here off of Interstate 20. If Texas was a country, . . . Complete story »
Wind farm proposed near Bowman could include battery storage
Apex Clean Energy is proposing a wind farm in southwestern North Dakota that could include the first large-scale battery storage facility in the state. The project would involve putting up 74 wind turbines south of the cities of Bowman and Rhame. The wind farm’s capacity would be nearly 209 megawatts. Recent wind farms built in North Dakota range in size from 100 to 300 megawatts. Apex seeks a permit from state regulators. The company included in its application plans to . . . Complete story »
Maple Valley Township planners share wind turbine maps, turbine installation manual
MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP – The Maple Valley Township Planning Commission distributed wind turbine maps and offered up a turbine installation manual for residents’ perusal Thursday evening. The meeting was calm and well-organized, a pleasant change of pace from April’s chaotic event. Nearly 50 audience members were present in person Thursday at the Coral Community Center. Chairman Roger Becker, Vice Chairwoman Andi Knapp and commissioners Randy Davis and Lee Frandsen were all present, while Commissioner Carolyn Kelsey was absent. Becker reported that . . . Complete story »
Choiniere column in support of offshore wind project was a lot of hot air
The editorial page editor claimed “offshore wind energy plans brighten State Pier’s future” in his April 11 column. Paul Choiniere is entitled to his dead-wrong opinion. A couple of weeks ago, President Biden announced a massive effort to develop offshore wind energy projects as the key to a clean energy revolution. Over many years and many discussions, I have attempted to educate Choiniere about the 800-pound gorilla in the room, which is the future of the world’s energy resources and . . . Complete story »
Biden wants to move energy offshore, but choppy seas are ahead
DORCHESTER, N.J. – In his three decades servicing oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, boat captain Keith Piper rode out all manner of storms and gales. Still, he had never faced the elements that tested him last winter at a wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island. Subzero temperatures. Snow. A nor’easter blowing 70 miles per hour. Coffee sloshing in the pot and his 500-ton liftboat – propped above the waves on four hydraulic legs – vibrating from the force of . . . Complete story »
When economic growth does nothing for local schools
Smithville ISD’s two elementary schools earned “D” ratings from the Texas Education Agency for 2018-19 (the most recent year available). The junior high for the small district east of Austin got a “C.” Though its high school received a very low “B,” it earned no distinctions from the Texas Education Agency. Yet in March, the Smithville school board told its attorney to begin negotiations to turn down an estimated $10 million of tax revenue in what amounts to a gift . . . Complete story »
Wind power burden on ratepayers
In case readers failed to notice, the ‘settled science’ of ‘Global Warming’ which we are forbidden to question, has just dished up the coldest April for Sixty years and the finest skiing conditions in Scotland for a Decade. Meanwhile, Lorna Slater and the Greens witter on about ‘sustainable’ energy and the ‘Green New Deal’. What she clearly failed to notice is that during almost all of April, the entire wind industry, far from ‘powering thousands of homes’ was flat-lining, contributing . . . Complete story »
Construction resumes on wind project that has generated national attention
LARAMIE – Construction on the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County started again for the season on April 12, and the project has generated its fair share of national attention in recent months. In early March, the CCSM project was featured in a New York Times story on wind energy, and it is also featured in a Discovery Channel special feature on climate called “Action Planet.” The hour-long special includes a seven-minute focus on wind energy . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind pricing plan stirring crosscurrents
The plan for the state’s next and possibly largest offshore wind contract is now under Department of Public Utilities review and the regulators there have to decide whether to require bidders to commit to selling the clean energy they generate at a potentially lower price depending on what happens with the pricing of a project already in the pipeline. The state’s next offshore wind request for proposals was submitted to DPU for review and approval Wednesday, an early step towards the procurement . . . Complete story »
