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.
Feathers fly over proposed wind farm’s impacts on great white pelicans
BirdLife South Africa has urged the developer of a proposed wind energy facility on the West Coast to consider alternative locations to prevent vulnerable great white pelicans from colliding with its wind turbines. In February 2012, Moyeng Energy received environmental authorisation for its proposed 35-turbine Rheboksfontein facility, which is to be built 3km west of Darling and about 15km east of Dassen Island, the only breeding site for the heavy, slope-soaring birds in the region. The company has now proposed . . . Complete story »
In bid to shift oil workers to clean energy, Biden faces pay gap
Most of the world’s renewable energy technologies, from lithium ion batteries to wind turbines, are produced in China and other East Asian nations, which offer low labor costs. In addition, clean energy jobs in the United States, such as working on wind turbines or installing solar panels, don’t pay nearly as well as those in the oil and gas industry, where even workers in the lower ranks can earn six-figure salaries. “Someone working in a refinery leaving to go install solar panels, they’re probably going to take a 75 percent cut in pay,” said Rick Levy, president of the Texas AFL-CIO, the state’s largest labor union. Complete story »
Millions at stake in wind turbine tax litigation
The installation of wind farms over the past several years has provided an economic boost to many Michigan counties. However, millions of dollars could be at stake due to changes made during that time by the State Tax Commission regarding the formula used by communities for taxing turbines. Gratiot County now has five wind farms that include a total of 345 turbines. The first was completed in 2012 and since then wind energy has resulted in bringing in $49 million . . . Complete story »
Planner offers experience with wind ordinances
My name is William Courliss, and I live in Sherwood Township, Branch County, Michigan. I just heard on the news concerning the possibility of wind turbines coming into Sidney Township. I recently read a Daily News article where Erik Benko is objecting to the intrusion of these turbines. Further, Township Trustee Jed Welder does have a legal conflict of interest, and needs to be very careful concerning his comments. He needs to listen to and obey any legal advice given . . . Complete story »
Stop wind farm companies deafening dolphins, Joanna Lumley tells Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds
She famously won a campaign for Gurkhas to settle in the UK, and now Joanna Lumley has a new target in her sights: stopping wind farm companies blowing up ordnance on the sea bed and deafening dolphins. The Absolutely Fabulous star wants companies to stop detonating unexploded wartime bombs they find on the sea bed around Britain’s coast when they are building new wind farms because of the damage it is causing to marine life. Lumley says: “At the moment, . . . Complete story »
Moyne Shire takes cautions to rule out perceptions of director conflict of interest on wind farms
A council director previously involved in decisions to amend state planning permits for two wind farms has taken a cautious approach to be uninvolved in some council decisions. Moyne Shire economic development and planning director Brett Davis previously held a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning role and chaired a hearing that sought to amend the Hawkesdale and Ryan Corner wind farm planning permits in 2017. Victoria's Planning Minister ultimately approved the amendment. Moyne chief executive Bill Millard said . . . Complete story »
Covering all the bases on ‘home rule’; Legislators offer encouragement in defeating HB 1381
First in a series No wind or solar energy was necessary to power discussion about this year’s Indiana General Assembly Thursday night in downtown New Castle. The energy was evident in both faces, gestures and voices. With State Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton) and State Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) leading the way, the Henry County GOP meeting was both informative and animated, with perhaps no bill sparking as much interest as House Bill 1381, a measure that would take away “home . . . Complete story »
Montcalm Township planner, lawyer say no conflict of interest ‘at this time’
MONTCALM TOWNSHIP – Meeting with his fellow planning commissioners for the first time in seven months, Richard Karnatz wasted little time addressing concerns and allegations of some township residents. As the chairman of the Montcalm Township Planning Commission, Karnatz began Wednesday’s virtual meeting by issuing a statement focused on allegations that he has a conflict of interest regarding the Planning Commission’s effort to amend the township’s wind energy ordinance and should, in turn, recuse himself from certain discussions and votes on . . . Complete story »
Wind power was thriving in Texas. Then came the freeze.
AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas wind industry suffered a devastating financial blow during last month’s electricity crisis, which hit roughly half of the state’s wind farms and may force some to seek bankruptcy protection or relinquish control to Wall Street. With ample breezes and open spaces, the Lone Star State has become the biggest producer of wind power in the U.S. It now derives roughly 23% of its power on an annual basis from the renewable energy source. But a financial arrangement . . . Complete story »
Planners hear from Deerfield Wind Energy 2 developers
The Huron County Planning Commission got to hear from the group looking to build more wind turbines in Huron Township at its meeting this week. Members of Algonquin Power, the owners of the Deerfield Wind Farm across Huron, Dwight, Bloomfield, and Lincoln townships, made a presentation for the next phase of the project similar to one made to the Huron Township planners a few months ago. The company is requesting approval for the site plan review. Roberto Caputo of Algonquin . . . Complete story »
