 |
Wind Alert! 20-Mar-2017News and information from The WindAction Group facts, analysis, exposure of industrial wind energy's real impacts - www.windAction.org |
| Issue: 20-Mar-2017 |
| |
WindAction EDITORIALDOE: Breaking the Federal Arm of the Wind IndustryThis essay, the fourth in a series aimed at correcting the most harmful wind energy-related policies of the Obama era, examines how the U.S. Department of Energy has set aside its scientific objectivity and has assumed the role of chief advocate for wind power in the federal government. Prior essays can... → MORE Recent ArticlesOcotillo Wind Energy Facility: Wrong from the startThis project was a disaster from the beginning. Speed and greed are a recipe for environmental, economic, and social failures. Applications for future wind developments must learn from this experience and be much, much more diligent and responsible in their planning and execution. → MORE SA power: Windfarm standards changed to prevent further blackouts after AEMO recommendationNew windfarms in South Australia will face tougher technical standards, amid concern the state's heavy reliance on intermittent renewable generators has left the electricity grid prone to collapse. ...AEMO found a failure of windfarms to ride through voltage disturbances contributed to the catastrophic chain of events which caused the blackout. → MORE Residents' concerns about wind farm to be addressed at next El Paso County commissioners' meetingA meeting next week will give locals the chance to learn more about a controversial wind farm near Calhan. → MORE WV Senate votes to repeal wind turbine tax cutSen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, spoke in favor of the bill. He said when the Legislature created the tax break in 2001, it should have added a sunset clause. He added that other industries don’t receive as generous a break. → MORE Conflict of interest wind blows both waysFor a number of years, five of nine Huron County planning commissioners had wind contracts, said Robert McLean, vice chair of the Paris Township Planning Commission. He was a member of the former Huron County Wind Energy Zoning Committee, and is running for a seat on the county planning commission. “The... → MORE Weather service concerned that wind farm could interfere with local forecasts“The National Weather Service uses that radar to issue any type of hazardous weather watches or warnings in (the Fort Drum) area,” she said, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air Force also use the Montague radar station. The National Weather Service is also concerned that the proposed... → MORE PTC glide-path 'not a done deal' warns congressmanBut Reed, a New York Republican who supports the tax credits, says their [tax credits] preservation should not be taken for granted as Congress attempts to reform the byzantine US tax code for the first time in a generation. Tax reform is expected to be the next major legislative battle... → MORE Consumers contend Buffett's MidAmerican Energy reaping PTCs at their expenseThe Office of Consumer Advocate, part of the Iowa attorney general's office, said MidAmerican is unfairly benefiting by seeking to pass through to ratepayers $3.7 million in costs for producing wind energy when wholesale energy prices are negative while keeping the associated federal production tax credits. → MORE Rick Perry’s DOE agenda: Cleaning house, Trump’s clean energyAs the new head of the Department of Energy, Former Texas Governor Rick Perry faces many challenges from the bureaucracy, environmentalists, and the media. → MORE Altus chamber wants state military commission involved in wind farm sitingThe Altus Chamber of Commerce wants Oklahoma lawmakers to give a state military commission siting approval for wind farms near military installations, saying the turbines can affect radar and disrupt training routes. → MORE Worker plunges to death inside 480ft-high wind turbineA spokesman for Gamesa, the company contracted to build the wind farm by Scottish Power, said: "Gamesa is conducting a thorough investigation together with the authorities to establish the root cause of this fatal accident. ...In January, one of the 96 turbines being installed at Kilgallioch collapsed in a storm. → MORE Council deliver blow to wind farm project; Proposal for 11 turbines at site near Alyth is rejectedApplicant ABO Wind UK’s submission was recommended for refusal by council planners due to “cumulative landscape impacts on residential, recreational and tourist receptors”. Councillors voted eight to four to reject the development. → MORE EU court to assess environmental responsibilities of wind farmThe Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) is to be asked to decide issues concerning the extent of Coillte's environmental responsibilities in relation to grid connection works for a wind farm in Co Laois. → MORE DeKalb County Board approves moratorium on wind, solar farmsThe DeKalb County Board unanimously approved a moratorium Wednesday on developing wind and solar farms for 18 months or until a sustainable energy ordinance is passed. → MORE Kipeto Wind Energy Project could wipe out critically endangered birds“The proposed wind farm would be disastrous for Africa’s Critically Endangered vultures, and many other important bird species, and contradicts Kenya’s commitment to the Convention on Migratory Species.” → MORE Wind turbine at Narragansett beach collapses in stormA 100-foot tower supporting a wind turbine at Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett collapsed during a nor'easter, Tuesday. → MORE Wind developer offering well testingThe developers of the Otter Creek Wind Farm Project are taking a proactive step to address concerns raised in the community regarding the potential impact wind turbine construction can have on water wells. → MORE Once turbines arrive, say goodbye to peace, quietIf anyone thinks that the process of developing a wind farm (before, during or after) is honest and trustworthy, you really should be talking to people that are living in the middle of a wind farm. Please, do not be fooled by any wind farm company! Also, if you are a... → MORE Parishville town council members decide not to impose moratorium on wind energy developmentFollowing heated debate and much discussion, Town Council members decided not to move forward with a one-year moratorium on the wind energy development proposed by Avangrid Renewables during a special meeting Friday night. → MORE Highland community leader fears future extension of windfarm if it gets go-ahead following inquiryA Highland community leader has called for an extra planning condition to prevent the extension of a windfarm should it be permitted following a public inquiry. → MORE Planning chief urges rejection of windfarmControversial plans for a large-scale east Perthshire windfarm could be kicked out by councillors next week after a backlash from residents and conservationists. → MORE Maryland takes step toward offshore wind; Public Service Commission to weigh two proposalsThe Maryland Public Service Commission will begin what could be two weeks of hearings on proposals from two developers to build wind farms in the Atlantic Ocean off Maryland. The two developers are competing for up to $1.9 billion in subsidies over 20 years, paid for by the state’s electricity... → MORE Somerset planners OK wind power developer's request for towersOne of the key factors in Furlong's ruling was that the Planning Board approved a previous Apex weather tower on Lower Lake Road in 2014. The judge also ruled that the two new towers – each proposed to be 197 feet high, on Lake and West Somerset roads – wouldn't... → MORE £250m Stonehaven windfarm project approvedYesterday planning consent for the floating development was granted and announced by Holyrood’s minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse MSP. But some local residents fear the enormous turbines could spoil the picturesque views from Stonehaven and the nearby Dunnottar Castle. → MORE Oklahoma House approves earlier end to wind tax creditHouse Bill 2298, by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, would end the zero-emissions tax credit July 1, more than three years earlier than its current sunset date. The bill passed, 74-24, over the objections from some lawmakers that it could jeopardize wind projects already in an advanced stage of development. → MORE Company won’t build test tower in AlexandriaAt Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, it was announced that EDP had withdrawn a financial commitment — a bond — for a meteorological tower in Alexandria, which was planned to help the company decide if it should continue with the project, company officials said. → MORE New noise limit would end turbine development, say advocatesState regulators have proposed new sound limits for wind turbines that some renewable energy proponents say would effectively ban new utility-scale turbines from Vermont. → MORE South Australia's power woes expose deeper problems with nation's energy securityThe problem is, the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine. The high peaks in South Australia's energy usage don't always match up with a large chunk of its increasingly intermittent supply. Intermittency isn't the only problem though. Under current market settings, wind farms aren't required to provide... → MORE Davison Co. residents push for one-mile wind setbacksSeveral residents spoke out against a 1,000-foot setback proposed as a buffer between a person's home and a wind tower, many citing potentially diminished property value and possible health effects the towers could cause. → MORE Board wants Antrim Wind to pay $100KANTRIM NH -- Antrim select board members agreed to ask Antrim Wind Energy for a one-time payment of $100,000 to recover any legal and administrative costs it has spent since the inception of a nine turbine wind project slated to be built on Tuttle Hill and Willard Mountain during a meeting... → MORE Tule wind project expansion clears legal hurdlePOC officials say they are not opposed to renewable energy but say the Tule Wind Project is located in a dangerous spot for birds, citing memos from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game that said Tule II “has a high potential” to... → MORE Danish municipality cancels plans for all onshore wind turbines; Resistance from residents behind banThe planning and environmental committee for Esbjerg Municipality has brought a halt to anymore onshore wind farms being built inside its borders. → MORE Councillors are united in horror at revelationsCouncillors were quick to voice their support for the families living close to the Raheenleagh Wind Farm and asked that the matter be put back on the agenda for April’s meeting so that it doesn’t get forgotten about. Speaking after the presentation at last Monday’s county council meeting, Cllr Shay Cullen... → MORE Ohio GOP lawmakers aim to kill wind, solar mandates, endorse competitive marketsThe Republican majority in the Ohio House is moving again to get rid of the state's renewable energy rules. In a bill sponsored by a Cincinnati Republican and released late Tuesday, the House would make voluntary the mandates that now require power companies to generate or buy and sell a percentage... → MORE South Wicklow residents ask county council for help wind farm 'destroying lives' of local familiesSouth Wicklow residents living in the shadow of the Raheenleagh Wind Farm had a simple message for the elected members of Wicklow County Council this week: help us. → MORE Sheffield wind project testing protocol disputed“Vermont Wind has deflected its non-compliance since 2011 and Mr. Brouha’s proposal to adhere to Vermont Wind’s original methodology ends the pretense,” argues Anderson. As the independent sound monitoring firm hired by the DPS, Acentech confirmed, Anderson argues, “…if Vermont Wind had tested with windows open, Mr. Brouha and the State... → MORE Wind turbines raise hackles in Plymouth and Bourne"[Police] Officer confirmed that turbine noise in bedroom was excessive," the officer reported, but because the noise was coming from Plymouth, Plymouth police were called. Plymouth police told them to call the board of health, which passed the call along to the building inspector. → MORE AFL chief Gillon McLachlan to tackle wind farm in courtAfter a year of campaigning against a proposed $700 million wind farm, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan today begins a legal fight to protect his childhood home before a full-bench court in Adelaide. → MORE Renewables push will hike up prices, lead to instability, says AEMOLabor’s plan to produce 50 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030 has been dealt a blow by the national power market operator, which has warned that Queensland’s push for the target could lead to higher electricity prices and an unstable network. → MORE Ireland’s race against time to avoid €360m EU renewables fineAnd even if Ireland gets close to reaching its 2020 targets, the EU plans to move the goalposts again by increasing the EU-wide renewables target to 27pc by 2030, with even greater fines proposed for breaches. The fines, which are set to be applied at a daily rate of €25,000,... → MORE Hundreds of renewables jobs facing the axeNervous renewables firms are expecting hundreds of jobs to be lost in Scotland over the coming year as state support for green technology development falls. → MORE Deuel County Commission decides more discussion needed regarding wind towersMeeting at the Clear Lake Community Center in front of an audience of at least 200 people, the county commission didn’t get very far when it came time to possibly approving or denying the proposed ordinance revisions recommended by the Deuel County Planning and Zoning Board in January. → MORE Dream of offshore U.S. wind power may be too ugly for TrumpShoring up Trump administration support will require developers to shed climate change talking points and dispel any notions that offshore wind is an environmental relic of the Obama administration, said Timothy Fox, an analyst at Washington-based ClearView Energy Partners LLC. It may help that two of the biggest developers --... → MORE Recent DocumentsComments by the Academic Editors Regarding: “Evaluation of Quality of Life of Those Living near a Wind Farm“: These papers document an important debate between wind-friendly academics who argue that those living near wind turbines benefit from the experience and those who insist such conclusions are backed by inappropriate study methodologies and broad assertions that cloud actual findings. In this circumstance, Dr Daniel Shepherd a PhD in psychoacoustics and... → MORE Effects of wind energy generation and white-nose syndrome on the viability of the Indiana bat This crtical study found that white-nose syndrome combined with wind turbine mortality had a greater impact on depressing bat populations than either alone. The abstract of the paper is provided below. The full paper can be accessed by clicking the links on this page. → MORE Golden Eagle fatalities and the continental-scale consequences of local wind-energy generation This important paper examines how golden eagle mortality at the Altamont wind energy site in California may be having a continent-wide impact on the population. The abstract and supporting data for this report can be accessed from this page. → MORE Recent PicturesRhode Island turbine collapse in storm This 100-foot turbine sited in Narragansett collapsed in winds over 50 miles per hour. → MORE |
| WAS THIS MESSAGE FORWARDED BY A FRIEND? Click here to subscribe now! The WindAction Group stands ready to assist communities faced with unwanted industrialization by providing residents as well as government officials with information to make informed decisions. Privacy Policy: Email addresses are used only for correspondence with our subscribers and will not be disclosed or distributed without prior permission. © Copyright 2017 Industrial Wind Action Group Corp. |
