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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Zoning hearing held on wind farm project in Packer Township
WEATHERLY, CARBON COUNTY (WOLF) – More than 20 wind turbines could be coming to Packer Township, but not without some pushback from people who live there. Hundreds of people attended the first zoning hearing on the Broad Mountain wind farm project Wednesday night. “It’s an 80 megawatt wind farm with 21 wind turbines. It’ll be a lot of work. With economic benefits as well as environmental benefits,” said Robert Miller, the Project Manager for the Broad Mountain Wind Farm. The Packer . . . Complete story »
Wind farm shuttered: Facing May 7 referendum, process delays cited as reason
The Summit Lake Wind Farm is no longer being pursued, according to a press release from Renewable Energy Systems issued Friday. “After a careful review of several factors, RES has decided to discontinue the development of the Summit Lake Wind project,” Sean Stocker, RES Project Manager, said in the release. “We have enjoyed working with the local community and want to thank all the landowners and supporters of the Summit Lake Wind project.” The release cited “continued delays in the . . . Complete story »
Developer to discontinue L’Anse Township wind farm development
The developer behind a proposed wind farm in L’Anse Township says it is no longer pursuing the project. In a press release Friday morning, Renewable Energy Systems said “continued delays in the planning process have ceased to make the project financially and logistically viable.” The Summit Lake Wind Project is a proposed 130 MW wind farm near the Huron Mountains on Weyerhaeuser Land. “After a careful review of several factors, RES has decided to discontinue the development of the Summit . . . Complete story »
Concerned Citizens again ask for turbine moratorium
Concerned Citizens of Branch County filled the County Commission work session Thursday to ask commissioners to proceed on a new Master Plan and enact a moratorium on special use permits until one is in place. The anti wind turbine organization created 16 months ago is most concerned about Union Township which has no rezoning and turned down zoning in last November’s election by 25 votes. Pam Reed laid out the group’s concerns and urged commissioners “to defend the heath, safety, . . . Complete story »
DEP hosts public meeting on proposed Hancock County wind project
Members of the public got the chance to weigh in on a proposed wind project that would be located in Hancock County Thursday night. The Department of Environmental Protection hosted the meeting in Aurora at the Airline Community School. The Weaver Wind Project would build 22 turbines at a cost of 145 million dollars. The turbines would be located in Eastbrook and Osborn with an operations and maintenance building in Aurora. Those in attendance spoke both for and against the . . . Complete story »
Adirondack Park Agency won’t update energy plan
The Adirondack Park Agency has shelved plans for an update to its renewable energy guidelines after determining that its existing provisions are adequate, at least for the time being. The agency said it would continue to support green energy and would evaluate projects based on existing rules. In an emailed statement, the APA said, “The Agency determined that the policy updates were not needed to meet our goal to integrate the wise use of renewable energy resources and implementation of . . . Complete story »
Public hearings set for June on proposed Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line
Wisconsin utility regulators have scheduled a series of six public hearings on a proposed power line through across the southwest corner of the state. Members of the public can offer opinions on the $500 million high-voltage transmission line known as Cardinal-Hickory Creek during meetings June 25-27 in Madison, Dodgeville and Lancaster. A joint venture of American Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative, the line would stretch more than 100 miles between Dubuque and Middleton. Proponents, including the utilities . . . Complete story »
Local Group Reacts to Wind Farm Cancellation
FRIENDS OF THE HURON MOUNTAINS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Local Group Reacts to Wind Farm Cancellation Urges Voter Turnout for Zoning Referendum Press Release RES Withdrawal April 2019 L’Anse, Michigan, April 19, 2019 The Friends of the Huron Mountains, a group formed to protect the interests of its members in the Huron Mountains and Michigamme Highlands area, welcomes today’s news that Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. will not proceed with the Summit Lake Wind Farm project on Weyerhaeuser Co. land in L’Anse Township. FOHM . . . Complete story »
UP wind farm plan cancelled after pushback
A controversial plan for a wind farm in the Upper Peninsula has been cancelled. Renewable Energy Systems was behind the project which aimed to put 49 wind turbines across 28,000 acres in L’Anse Township. In a statement, RES said the project was no longer financially or logistically viable. “After a careful review of several factors, RES has decided to discontinue the development of the Summit Lake Wind project,” said RES Project Manager Sean Stocker. “We have enjoyed working with the . . . Complete story »
Townships lose their voice in wind farm decisions
Gov. J.B. Pritzker predicts growth in wind-energy development after signing a law streamlining zoning rules. The Democrat signed legislation Friday that allows only counties and municipalities to establish standards for developing wind farms. Townships will no longer have authority in the process. Pritzker says the law will spur investment in rural areas, create jobs and pour tens of millions of dollars into the pockets of landowners and farmers and into government accounts in the form of property taxes. The measure . . . Complete story »
