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.
Bird conservation groups sue to try and block ‘Icebreaker’ wind farm project in Lake Erie
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Two bird conservation groups sued the Energy Department and Army Corps of Engineers in an attempt to stop the development of a Lake Erie wind turbine farm about eight miles off the coast of Cleveland named “Icebreaker.” The American Bird Conservancy of Washington, D.C. and the Black Swamp Bird Observatory in Ohio said in a lawsuit that the evaluations of the project by both agencies flies in the face of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean . . . Complete story »
Both sides of Wind debate heat up on county commission
The Marion County Commission met on Monday, Nov. 4, where they heard from the Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Director Sharon Omstead, as well as Russ Ewy, a county consultant for Planning and Zoning. In addition to a packed room full of citizens both for and against the wind farm, there were employees from Expedition Wind, LLC. Ewy explained that the commission needed to decide if they wanted electric transmission lines to be regulated or not in regard to wind . . . Complete story »
‘We traded green for green.’ Controversial solar array built on Simsbury farmland now producing power
The Tobacco Valley project was initially opposed in 2016 by both the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and this state’s Department of Agriculture because of the potential loss of farmland. The only reason the huge solar array was eventually approved was that it had the support of Massachusetts and Rhode Island under an unusual three-state compact designed to promote regional renewable energy. Complete story »
Renewables ‘hit a wall’ in saturated Upper Midwest grid
In August, two wind farm developers quietly withdrew their requests to tie into the Midwest power grid. NextEra Energy Inc. and Southern Power Co. filed the notices with regulators in Minnesota and North Dakota, respectively. The documents didn’t draw much attention. Developers routinely enter the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) interconnection queue and later drop out if projects aren’t feasible. But renewable energy advocates in the region say the projects belong to a much larger group of wind and solar . . . Complete story »
Transmission line to be discussed
The proposed path for a high-voltage wind energy transmission line through southern and western Valencia County and northern Socorro County is still getting plenty of push back. Not only are residents of the rural, agricultural community of Bosque fighting against the Western Spirit line, but the Socorro County Commission is unanimously opposed to the project. Sen. Clemente Sanchez has also expressed concerns. The senator was at a recent meeting of Bosque residents, where he listened to their concerns about the . . . Complete story »
Tense situation as residents oppose the construction of a Wind Power Plant in Jaffna
A tense situation ensued in Jaffna following protests against a Wind Power Plant in Thanankilappu. Residents of Thanankilappu arrived at the land where the power plant is being constructed and began vandalizing the temporary structures. A clash broke out between the residents and the workers at the construction site when they attempted to prevent the residents from damaging the temporary structures. The tense situation was eased following the intervention of personnel from the Chawakachcheri Police. Police said no arrests have . . . Complete story »
Plans for power transmission line detailed at Canisteo forum
CANISTEO – The community had a chance to weigh in Wednesday on a proposed transmission line that would serve the Canisteo Wind Farm, transporting power from Jasper to Hornellsville. An informational forum and public statement hearing on the proposed transmission line was held at the Canisteo Fire Department, with Invenergy officials laying out the project details during the forum. The project is currently in Article 7. The proposed 115kV, 15-mile line would stretch from Jasper through Canisteo to Hornellsville, connecting the . . . Complete story »
Resolution asks that Fenwick be involved in wind-farm talks
The proposed wind farm off the coast of Delaware, and improvements the wind farm developer is offering to make to Fenwick Island State Park in return for access to the park for a transmitting station, were the main focus of the Friday, Dec. 6, Fenwick Island Town Council meeting. After hearing the concerns from residents and calls for an independent organization to be formed in opposition to the wind farm and its associated projects, the town council approved a resolution . . . Complete story »
Wind energy has issues
I agree that alternative energy resources will contribute to the future health of the planet. The issue as I see it is the practicality and sustainability of the alternate resources. Wind farms are being touted as one of these options. The idea sounds great; but, is there a significant downside? The fishing community has expressed serious concerns about the possible impact of this technology. There are issues regarding destruction of seabirds, visual pollution, infrastructure maintenance, and, not the least of . . . Complete story »
Ewa wind farm seeking community input
As Hawaiian Electric Co. evaluates proposals for a new wave of renewable energy projects on Oahu, one bidder is laying the groundwork for a wind farm with up to 16 turbines on the island’s west side, even before it gets a final nod from HECO. Eurus Energy America Corp. seemed to have a deal with HECO to develop a big wind farm on the eastern slope of the Waianae Range, on property owned by Gill Ewa Lands. But Hawaii regulators delayed the . . . Complete story »
