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.
No wind farm equipment transported to Kahuku as demonstrators block access
Officials say parts of the wind turbine were scheduled to be transported to Kahuku late Sunday night, but those against the wind farm project have blocked access at Kalaeloa and Kahuku. The company behind the controversial wind farm project has 6 weeks to transport its turbines to the North Shore. Demonstrators tell us they’re prepared to stay as long as it takes to get their message across. “We’re glad just to have the Mauna and Sherwood, we are all backing . . . Complete story »
Champaign County wind farm project tabled
The developer of a proposed wind farm in Champaign County no longer has the certificates needed to build the project. Attorneys representing the Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC projects asked the Ohio Power Sitting Board to relinquish certificates that were approved for those projects nearly a decade ago. They also asked to withdraw any pending amendments filed since then. “From our standpoint, the cases are all closed now and the company no longer has the certificates to construct . . . Complete story »
Moratorium on Portland wind turbines may get extended
PORTLAND – It appears the Town Board is leaning toward extending its moratorium on permits and applications for windmills, which is due to expire on Dec. 26. Daniel Schrantz, town supervisor, said what he and town board members are currently hearing in regard to the proposed turbines in the town is not favorable. In addition, there is no concrete number when it comes to how these projects will affect town revenues. “Right now there’s very little benefit to the town of . . . Complete story »
Protesters block construction of AES’s Na Pua Makani wind farm
Plans to transport heavy equipment and parts for AES’s Na Pua Makani wind farm to a Kahuku site overnight Sunday were put on hold after opponents of the project gathered at the AES yard in Kalaeloa to peacefully protest and block the transport. The company’s plan was to move the large parts for the turbines from Sunday to Thursday night between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. when the impact on traffic would be minimal. “After considering a multitude of factors . . . Complete story »
Turbine gone with the wind? Ocean Gate residents certainly hope so
Kate Ranuro is a retiree who lives in the borough of Ocean Gate. It’s on the Toms River not far from the Barnegat Bay. If you like sailing, it’s a beautiful place to live. But not if you like peace and quiet. The town of densely packed bungalows has two giant windmills located in its center. The noise they make is like a clothes dryer with an old sneaker and some loose change rolling around in it. I first heard . . . Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm opponents protest along Kamehameha Highway
A group opposed to a planned wind farm on Oahu’s North Shore are protesting along Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku today in an effort to stop development of the project. “We do plan to stand our ground because our kids and our kupuna and our community, they’re important to us and we plan to stay out there for as long as we have to to ensure the safety of our people and our community and Native Hawaiian wildlife,” said Kananiloaanuenue Ponciano, . . . Complete story »
New date set for variance hearing for wind energy developer
A hearing for an appeal from wind energy developer Clean Air Generation LLC has been rescheduled before the Hegins Township Zoning Hearing Board. The new date for the public hearing is 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Hegins Area Ambulance Association building, 352 Gap St., in Valley View. CAG attorney Charles B. Haws, of Reading, confirmed the new date and time Monday. Originally, the zoning hearing board was set to hear CAG’s application on Oct. 31, but Haws had . . . Complete story »
Peaceful protests continue against controversial Kahuku wind farm, putting a pause on construction
Peaceful protests continue against a controversial wind farm in Kahuku. Construction of the Na Pua Makani wind farm was expected to begin Sunday night, but people against the project managed to block the equipment trucks from leaving a facility in Kalaeloa. Peaceful protesters also gathered in Kahuku where the farm is expected to be built. They got here around 6 p.m. Sunday night, and even until 6 a.m., people were still there. They are protesting against the construction of eight . . . Complete story »
Planning board takes up “overlay,” countywide zoning options
The debate over whether to create a new countywide overly zone to offer residents some regulatory protection against specific industries – mainly commercial wind and solar farms – will be taken up again Thursday by the Reno County Planning Commission. A majority of the seven-member board had an initial discussion on the issue during a 90-minute meeting Sept. 24, but came to no clear consensus other than that they should explore four options. The four include: – Expanding existing zoning . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine protesters stake out overnight, prepared to block any equipment
Monday marked night number two of blockades against a controversial wind energy farm in Kahuku. From Kalaeloa to the North Shore, protesters staked out overnight, prepared to block the movement of any equipment to the site. They were willing and ready to be arrested, but things did not escalate to that point. The project was cleared for construction after completing the legal steps. The company behind the project, AES, hoped to begin moving wind turbine parts Sunday night, but opponents . . . Complete story »
