Wednesday, December 15, 2010
First Wind Eyes Sale, Equity Hunt
First Wind is considering ways to raise equity and development capital to fund its project pipeline since it decided to shelve its initial public offering. Credit Suisse and Macquarie Capital are advising the wind developer on ...
United Technologies Completes Clipper Windpower Acquisition
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) today announced that it has completed its purchase of Clipper Windpower Plc by acquiring all remaining shares, as previously announced.
Clipper Windpower is a California-based company engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. Its acquisition by UTC creates the long-term financial stability necessary for Clipper's continued growth, while enabling Clipper to fully leverage UTC's management capabilities, operational expertise and world-class technology in blades, turbines, and gearbox design.
The acquisition also builds on UTC's existing portfolio of energy efficient products and power generation systems that respond to the world's growing demand for cleaner, more efficient products.
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, UTC is a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries.
UTC-IR
Contact:
John Moran
(860) 728-7062
www.utc.com
Clipper Windpower is a California-based company engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. Its acquisition by UTC creates the long-term financial stability necessary for Clipper's continued growth, while enabling Clipper to fully leverage UTC's management capabilities, operational expertise and world-class technology in blades, turbines, and gearbox design.
The acquisition also builds on UTC's existing portfolio of energy efficient products and power generation systems that respond to the world's growing demand for cleaner, more efficient products.
Based in Hartford, Connecticut, UTC is a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries.
UTC-IR
Contact:
John Moran
(860) 728-7062
www.utc.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Pickens Plan no longer features wind energy
Oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens' TV commercials blasted the airwaves in 2008 with his big idea to get America off foreign oil imports: natural gas and wind energy.
Two years later, let’s just make that natural gas.
Since the billionaire’s plans for the world’s largest wind farm fell apart in the Texas Panhandle, Pickens has edited his much-hyped “Pickens Plan” to focus primarily on his other big business interest: natural gas.
Touting 1.7 million Pickens Plan supporters, he’s now pushing Congress to pass legislation that would offer incentives to convert 18-wheelers and fleet vehicles to run on compressed natural gas, or CNG, rather than diesel. He said if just 8 million of those trucks switch to the domestic-produced fuel, it could cut in half the amount of foreign oil imported by the United States.
“I’m all American,” Pickens said on Friday. “Any energy in America beats importing.”
The businessman said he is now looking to Canada as a place to build his 500-megawatt wind farm, because he couldn’t get a deal done in Texas.
Pickens has spent more than two years and $80 million promoting the Pickens Plan, mostly in 2008 with TV spots and social media and traversing the country for town hall meetings, lobbying Congress and visiting the White House.
Special Report: Environmental entrepreneurs
But critics say Pickens is no passive policy advocate and his agenda reflects his own financial interests.
“He stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group. “He doesn’t see wind personally as a lucrative investment anymore.”
Pickens owns 45 percent of Clean Energy Fuels, a Seal Beach, Calif., company that builds natural gas filling stations for buses and fleet vehicles. CNG industry executives say natural gas is cleaner, abundant and cheaper than gasoline — as much as 60 cents to $1 less per gallon.
Pickens admits that he may benefit financially but that’s not his main goal. “If that was the case, I shouldn’t have spent $80 million,” he said. He says that if America is going to stop importing foreign oil, we must focus on transportation.
Much of Pickens’ early media blitz plugged wind. In one 2008 YouTube video, Pickens sketched out a plan on a whiteboard to increase wind energy for power companies, which would then free up natural gas for transportation and reduce overseas oil imports. In another video, he advocated for more wind energy, which would create jobs, finance schools and revitalize rural America.
“It can be done, and it will be done because it has to be done,” he said in the video.
Pickens said he ordered $1.5 billion worth of wind turbines to build the wind farm in Pampa, Texas, but he later abandoned the project because the state didn’t have local transmission lines needed to distribute the energy. Texas should start construction on those local lines next year.
“There’s a certain amount of disappointment,” said Lonny Robbins, Pampa’s mayor. The town of 17,000 had bustled with anticipation following Pickens’ announcement. No other wind project has been built in the town so far.
“That’s the way some things happen sometimes,” said Robbins.
Pickens now says Canada is more appealing because the country has renewable energy standards that require energy companies to buy certain amounts of wind power. Because natural gas prices have dropped, wind looks too expensive for U.S. power companies.
“You’re going to get natural gas prices up, or wind — it just isn’t gonna happen,” Pickens said on Friday.
Even without Pickens’ project, the U.S. wind industry should be just fine. Projects by fellow billionaires Phil Anschutz and Warren Buffett are still moving forward in Wyoming and Iowa. And the overall wind industry had its biggest year in 2009, due in part to new federal cash grants for investments.
In Texas, if you drive four hours south of Pampa to Sweetwater, you will see seven of the top 10 largest wind projects underway, said Greg Wortham, Sweetwater mayor and director of the Texas Wind Energy Clearinghouse. The state is also spending $5 billion on transmission lines.
“You can go 150 miles without losing site of a wind turbine,” said Wortham. “There are lines of blades parked along the highway waiting to go into a wind site under construction.”
The big worry for the industry is Congress, not Pickens, said Wortham. The industry would get a boost if Congress approves President Barack Obama's bi-partisan tax plan now set for a vote in the Senate. That plan includes energy tax credits to encourage more wind investments, yet industry officials say a more consistent policy is still needed to encourage more long-term investment in the industry.
Pickens is equally frustrated with Washington. He pointed to President Obama’s post-election pledge to end U.S. dependence on imports of Middle East oil within 10 years.
“Two and a half years,” Pickens said. “And there’s no plan.”
Two years later, let’s just make that natural gas.
Since the billionaire’s plans for the world’s largest wind farm fell apart in the Texas Panhandle, Pickens has edited his much-hyped “Pickens Plan” to focus primarily on his other big business interest: natural gas.
Touting 1.7 million Pickens Plan supporters, he’s now pushing Congress to pass legislation that would offer incentives to convert 18-wheelers and fleet vehicles to run on compressed natural gas, or CNG, rather than diesel. He said if just 8 million of those trucks switch to the domestic-produced fuel, it could cut in half the amount of foreign oil imported by the United States.
“I’m all American,” Pickens said on Friday. “Any energy in America beats importing.”
The businessman said he is now looking to Canada as a place to build his 500-megawatt wind farm, because he couldn’t get a deal done in Texas.
Pickens has spent more than two years and $80 million promoting the Pickens Plan, mostly in 2008 with TV spots and social media and traversing the country for town hall meetings, lobbying Congress and visiting the White House.
Special Report: Environmental entrepreneurs
But critics say Pickens is no passive policy advocate and his agenda reflects his own financial interests.
“He stands to make hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group. “He doesn’t see wind personally as a lucrative investment anymore.”
Pickens owns 45 percent of Clean Energy Fuels, a Seal Beach, Calif., company that builds natural gas filling stations for buses and fleet vehicles. CNG industry executives say natural gas is cleaner, abundant and cheaper than gasoline — as much as 60 cents to $1 less per gallon.
Pickens admits that he may benefit financially but that’s not his main goal. “If that was the case, I shouldn’t have spent $80 million,” he said. He says that if America is going to stop importing foreign oil, we must focus on transportation.
Much of Pickens’ early media blitz plugged wind. In one 2008 YouTube video, Pickens sketched out a plan on a whiteboard to increase wind energy for power companies, which would then free up natural gas for transportation and reduce overseas oil imports. In another video, he advocated for more wind energy, which would create jobs, finance schools and revitalize rural America.
“It can be done, and it will be done because it has to be done,” he said in the video.
Pickens said he ordered $1.5 billion worth of wind turbines to build the wind farm in Pampa, Texas, but he later abandoned the project because the state didn’t have local transmission lines needed to distribute the energy. Texas should start construction on those local lines next year.
“There’s a certain amount of disappointment,” said Lonny Robbins, Pampa’s mayor. The town of 17,000 had bustled with anticipation following Pickens’ announcement. No other wind project has been built in the town so far.
“That’s the way some things happen sometimes,” said Robbins.
Pickens now says Canada is more appealing because the country has renewable energy standards that require energy companies to buy certain amounts of wind power. Because natural gas prices have dropped, wind looks too expensive for U.S. power companies.
“You’re going to get natural gas prices up, or wind — it just isn’t gonna happen,” Pickens said on Friday.
Even without Pickens’ project, the U.S. wind industry should be just fine. Projects by fellow billionaires Phil Anschutz and Warren Buffett are still moving forward in Wyoming and Iowa. And the overall wind industry had its biggest year in 2009, due in part to new federal cash grants for investments.
In Texas, if you drive four hours south of Pampa to Sweetwater, you will see seven of the top 10 largest wind projects underway, said Greg Wortham, Sweetwater mayor and director of the Texas Wind Energy Clearinghouse. The state is also spending $5 billion on transmission lines.
“You can go 150 miles without losing site of a wind turbine,” said Wortham. “There are lines of blades parked along the highway waiting to go into a wind site under construction.”
The big worry for the industry is Congress, not Pickens, said Wortham. The industry would get a boost if Congress approves President Barack Obama's bi-partisan tax plan now set for a vote in the Senate. That plan includes energy tax credits to encourage more wind investments, yet industry officials say a more consistent policy is still needed to encourage more long-term investment in the industry.
Pickens is equally frustrated with Washington. He pointed to President Obama’s post-election pledge to end U.S. dependence on imports of Middle East oil within 10 years.
“Two and a half years,” Pickens said. “And there’s no plan.”
Howard Wind Update
Hopkins Road Being Worked On/Hotline For Wind Company Concerns
Everpower Wind officials say that Hopkins Road in the Steuben County Town of Howard, from Mill Road to County Route 27, is temporarily closed for improvements to support Howard Wind Farm construction vehicles. According to Everpower, Hopkins Road is expected to be closed for about a week, but no later than December 23. There will not be an onsite detour.
“We are trying to do as much preparatory work as possible before the end of the year,” said Kevin Sheen, EverPower’s senior director of development. “By starting now, it should allow us to be ahead of schedule for when construction begins in Spring 2011.”
Residents will also see Delaney Construction vehicles and construction equipment moving into the region. For complete construction information or updates, please visit www.howardwind.com.
In other Howard wind news, EverPower officials have announced a customer service hotline for residents of Steuben County who have a question or concern regarding the construction of the wind farm. The toll-free phone number is 1-888-450-6731. An Everpower spokesman says that the phone line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week and will remain in operation for one year after construction has been completed.
“It is the easy and most efficient way the community can have their questions or concerns addressed as quickly as possible,” said Kevin Sheen, EverPower’s senior director of development. “The calls will be answered by a person and not a machine. The person will then forward the inquiry to the proper person or company, allowing us to respond within a week of the initial inquiry.”
Steuben County residents can also have their questions and concerns addressed in writing. To submit a written question or concern, please forward to Howard Wind LLC Customer Service; 44 East 30th Street, 10th floor; New York, NY 10016.
Everpower Wind officials say that Hopkins Road in the Steuben County Town of Howard, from Mill Road to County Route 27, is temporarily closed for improvements to support Howard Wind Farm construction vehicles. According to Everpower, Hopkins Road is expected to be closed for about a week, but no later than December 23. There will not be an onsite detour.
“We are trying to do as much preparatory work as possible before the end of the year,” said Kevin Sheen, EverPower’s senior director of development. “By starting now, it should allow us to be ahead of schedule for when construction begins in Spring 2011.”
Residents will also see Delaney Construction vehicles and construction equipment moving into the region. For complete construction information or updates, please visit www.howardwind.com.
In other Howard wind news, EverPower officials have announced a customer service hotline for residents of Steuben County who have a question or concern regarding the construction of the wind farm. The toll-free phone number is 1-888-450-6731. An Everpower spokesman says that the phone line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week and will remain in operation for one year after construction has been completed.
“It is the easy and most efficient way the community can have their questions or concerns addressed as quickly as possible,” said Kevin Sheen, EverPower’s senior director of development. “The calls will be answered by a person and not a machine. The person will then forward the inquiry to the proper person or company, allowing us to respond within a week of the initial inquiry.”
Steuben County residents can also have their questions and concerns addressed in writing. To submit a written question or concern, please forward to Howard Wind LLC Customer Service; 44 East 30th Street, 10th floor; New York, NY 10016.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Iberdrola threatens to pull project
Iberdrola Renewables is threatening to pull its plans for a wind farm here if the Town Council passes rules it deems "unworkable."
The board is considering a law proposed by the town's wind committee that would require Iberdrola Renewables to compensate property owners who see drops in their land values because of the presence of wind turbines. The proposal also requires the company to buy out any property owner who objects to living near a turbine.
"If there aren't any negative effects to property values, then they are no worse for wear if this agreement is included," wind committee chairman Ronald R. Papke said.
But Iberdrola Renewables spokesman Paul N. Copleman said the company won't conduct business inside the town if the so-called "Residential Property Value Guarantee Agreement" is passed.
Read the entire article
The board is considering a law proposed by the town's wind committee that would require Iberdrola Renewables to compensate property owners who see drops in their land values because of the presence of wind turbines. The proposal also requires the company to buy out any property owner who objects to living near a turbine.
"If there aren't any negative effects to property values, then they are no worse for wear if this agreement is included," wind committee chairman Ronald R. Papke said.
But Iberdrola Renewables spokesman Paul N. Copleman said the company won't conduct business inside the town if the so-called "Residential Property Value Guarantee Agreement" is passed.
Read the entire article
Lame-Duck Bailouts for Ethanol and Wind?
Ethanol is the Frankenfuel of the energy business, a subsidy-devouring monster that cannot be killed, no matter how great the political opposition. Farm-state senators have apparently succeeded in adding an extension of the ethanol tax credit, which is scheduled to expire at the end of the year, to the tax bill now working its way through Congress.
While that news is disheartening enough, the wind-energy business — the electricity sector’s equivalent of the ethanol scam — may also be winning in its effort to garner more federal subsidies. It is pushing lame-duck legislators to extend a part of the stimulus package known as the Section 1603 tax credit, which gives cash directly to wind-project developers. But what the wind boosters really need to keep their struggling business afloat is a mandate requiring the production of renewable electricity — at least 15 percent by 2020. And some Democratic senators are pushing a bill that would do just that.
Any legislation that provides more subsidies for ethanol or wind energy in the final days of the 111th Congress will be a major loss for taxpayers, as billions of additional dollars will be lavished on sectors that cannot survive in the free market.
Both industries have a long history of subsidies. The ethanol sector began suckling at the public teat in 1978 and has never been weaned. Instead, the industry has convinced Congress to provide ever-increasing volumes of taxpayer cash on the promise that their corn-distilled elixir will drastically reduce America’s need for foreign oil.
Read the entire article
While that news is disheartening enough, the wind-energy business — the electricity sector’s equivalent of the ethanol scam — may also be winning in its effort to garner more federal subsidies. It is pushing lame-duck legislators to extend a part of the stimulus package known as the Section 1603 tax credit, which gives cash directly to wind-project developers. But what the wind boosters really need to keep their struggling business afloat is a mandate requiring the production of renewable electricity — at least 15 percent by 2020. And some Democratic senators are pushing a bill that would do just that.
Any legislation that provides more subsidies for ethanol or wind energy in the final days of the 111th Congress will be a major loss for taxpayers, as billions of additional dollars will be lavished on sectors that cannot survive in the free market.
Both industries have a long history of subsidies. The ethanol sector began suckling at the public teat in 1978 and has never been weaned. Instead, the industry has convinced Congress to provide ever-increasing volumes of taxpayer cash on the promise that their corn-distilled elixir will drastically reduce America’s need for foreign oil.
Read the entire article
Friday, December 10, 2010
Clipper Windpower PLC (UK): Scheme of Arrangement
Subject to the court sanctioning the scheme of arrangement in relation to the acquisition of Clipper Windpower PLC (UK) by United Technologies Corporation (Non-Constituent), FTSE announces the following changes:
INDEX
CHANGE
EFFECTIVE FROM
START OF TRADING
FTSE AIM 100
Clipper Windpower (UK B09H7Z5) will be deleted.
Metminco (UK B61HMS3) will be added to the index with a shares in issue total of 835,258,549 and an investability weighting of 100%.
15 December 2010
FTSE AIM All-Share
Clipper Windpower will be deleted.
15 December 2010
Please note: Last day of trading for Clipper Windpower is expected to be Monday 13 December 2010, therefore it will remain in the index on Tuesday 14 December 2010 based on its last trade price.
INDEX
CHANGE
EFFECTIVE FROM
START OF TRADING
FTSE AIM 100
Clipper Windpower (UK B09H7Z5) will be deleted.
Metminco (UK B61HMS3) will be added to the index with a shares in issue total of 835,258,549 and an investability weighting of 100%.
15 December 2010
FTSE AIM All-Share
Clipper Windpower will be deleted.
15 December 2010
Please note: Last day of trading for Clipper Windpower is expected to be Monday 13 December 2010, therefore it will remain in the index on Tuesday 14 December 2010 based on its last trade price.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Howard Moving Closer And Closer To Getting Wind Project
First Step: Road Improvements
An official in the Town of Howard tells our news department that the Town of Howard is beginning construction work on town roads to make the roads wider and stronger, so construction companies can travel with wind turbine parts on them.
According to Howard officials, the wind turbines will actually be smaller than was originally planned on.
Officials also say the location of some of the wind turbines will be slightly different in placement.
However, Howard officials maintain there will not be another environmental study, because the wind turbines will not be far from where they were originally planned to be.
An official in the Town of Howard tells our news department that the Town of Howard is beginning construction work on town roads to make the roads wider and stronger, so construction companies can travel with wind turbine parts on them.
According to Howard officials, the wind turbines will actually be smaller than was originally planned on.
Officials also say the location of some of the wind turbines will be slightly different in placement.
However, Howard officials maintain there will not be another environmental study, because the wind turbines will not be far from where they were originally planned to be.
Iberdrola Threatens To Leave
HAMMOND - If Hammond adopts a wind law that requires Iberdrola Renewables Inc. to compensate property owners who see drops in their land values, the company says it will scrap plans to build a proposed wind farm.
"They've basically said if we pass this agreement, that they will pick up their tinker toys and leave the sandbox," said Richard K. Champany, the wind committee member responsible for the proposal. Mr. Champany, a real estate attorney with offices in Alexandria Bay and Pulaski, said he didn't anticipate this reaction from Iberdrola.
"It's very infuriating," he said, holding up the letter from Iberdrola. "I've attempted to mediate and make everyone happy. This is a very fair proposal. I didn't expect this kind of reaction."
"It also says they don't have any experience with property values dropping," said Michele W. McQueer, committee tri-chair, "and that they would like to discuss the proposal with us."
Read the entire article
"They've basically said if we pass this agreement, that they will pick up their tinker toys and leave the sandbox," said Richard K. Champany, the wind committee member responsible for the proposal. Mr. Champany, a real estate attorney with offices in Alexandria Bay and Pulaski, said he didn't anticipate this reaction from Iberdrola.
"It's very infuriating," he said, holding up the letter from Iberdrola. "I've attempted to mediate and make everyone happy. This is a very fair proposal. I didn't expect this kind of reaction."
"It also says they don't have any experience with property values dropping," said Michele W. McQueer, committee tri-chair, "and that they would like to discuss the proposal with us."
Read the entire article
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
NYSERDA seeks to 'transform our economic system'
As the G20 summit meeting scheduled in Cancun approaches, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) co-chair, Dr. Edenhoffer of Germany, candidly admitted, "...one must say clearly that we redistribute de facto the world's wealth by climate policy." This has been clearly exemplified here in the United States by the fact that of the $2.2 Billion dollars of the stimulus money that was allotted for "renewables" (and all the "green" jobs it would supposedly create) -- over 80% of that money went overseas (See: http://investigativereportingworkshop.org/investigations/wind-energy-funds-going-overseas/story/renewable-energy-money-still-going-abroad/ ). Industrial wind is a major component of the IPCC's "climate policy" redistribution of wealth scheme, and NYS -- with plenty of Big Wind lobbyists and political cronies in high places, is a major player in this redistribution of wealth and, as Al Gore & George Soros refer to it -- "global governance" scheme.
The push for the redistribution of our wealth through politicalization of our energy policies was made clear once again at the annual NYS Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) "Partnership for Environmental Improvement" meeting held on 11/18/10 in Albany, when NYSERDA executive, Janet Joseph stated, "...We are looking at transforming our economic system."
The objective of the meeting was supposed to be for NYSERDA to give Environmental Groups from across NYS an opportunity to bring their concerns to NYSERDA's attention, so that NYSERDA could properly address these concerns. The absolute frustration we have faced at getting them to address any of our concerns over the past several years now, was made even worse at this year's meeting. Dr. Thorndike, the Cornell professor on NYSERDA's board who chairs these meetings, elected to skip over the folks from across NYS she knew were there about wind, while letting all the other attendees speak -- despite the fact that we had all been invited by NYSERDA to this meeting, and driven hundreds of miles to get there. When it got to be 3:00 -- past the time the agenda said would be allotted for our comments -- and the meeting was only scheduled to go until 4:00, I decided to speak out -- much to their chagrin, I'm sure.
I pointed out to them that the entire focus in each of their varied presentations that day had been about improving "energy efficiency & reliablity" -- of which industrial wind is neither.
I asked, "You admitted that we don't have the money, the equipment, or the transmission lines in your presentation on Offshore Wind, - so why are we wasting the time and resources soliciting these projects? I can testify that my hometown would be much better off if we spent the money insulating, and installing energy efficient windows in every home. And I dare say, we'd probably save millions in dollars, and emissions in the process, while creating thousands of jobs!" (Why create jobs for local contractors when it's all about servicing Big Corporate, though?!?)
I went on and said, "Two things are missing when it comes to industrial wind -- the science and the money!" NYSERDA has yet to provide the independent, transparent, empirical proof that wind energy can live up to any of the wind industry's claims.
I asked how they could compare industrial wind -- something that has virtually a zero capacity value (can be relied on to be there when called upon), to our reliable, dispatchable, baseload energy sources (i.e., hydro, nuclear, gas, & coal), which "is like comparing a soap box derby car to a Boeing 747." (See: http://www.stopillwind.org/downloads/Overblown.pdf )
I referenced the Colorado/Texas Bentek studies, which looked at actual wind performance data in Texas and Colorado, and concluded that wind caused coal plants to operate more inefficiently, "often resulting in great SO2, NOx, and CO2 emissions than would have occurred if less wind energy were generated and coal generation was not cycled."
No one debated any of the facts I presented.
I looked to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative presenter who had proclaimed that "We must raise the cost of carbon!", and told him that in spite of their demonizing of coal, there is the inconvenient fact that with over 100,000 IWT's that have been installed worldwide to date, NOT one coal plant has been closed down anywhere in the world thanks to industrial wind. I elaborated that it was cheaper, affordable energy that had made our country what it is today, and our poorest poor in this country are far better off than the poor in any other country in the world because we have had affordable power. Their plans to "transform our economic system" will hurt the lowest income folks the most. (See: "Resisting the Green Dragon" at the CornwallAlliance.org )
His response was, "We answered all your questions at the meeting a year ago."
I said, "No you didn't! Dr. Jan Storm, the NYS Dept of Health rep who spoke at the June, 2009 meeting acknowledged the existence of health problems around the world due to citing these things too close to peoples' homes -- but that NYS had not yet undertaken any studies. Here it is a year and a half later, and NYS still has done NO health studies. Yet, you continue to push these projects through! Furthermore, former PSC Sound Engineer, Dan Driscoll, told us all at the June, 2009 meeting that setbacks of approximately 3500 feet would probably alleviate most problems, yet you still have made NO recommendations to communities across NYS dealing with industrial wind developers. As a matter of fact, you have done NOTHING to help protect NYS residents!"
Of course, the typical reply came back, "It's a local matter."
I challenged them, and said, "As NYS's Energy Research & Development 'authority', you have a responsibility to make recommendations to the state on behalf of the people you work for in regard to these projects!"
A fellow advocate from the Tug Hill area jumped in -- citing the fact that she had brought in FERC numbers showing the ridiculous output levels of 12% & 16% from the Maple Ridge project at the last meeting, and then handed all of them copies of the latest peer-reviewed study on the negative health effects of living too close to industrial wind installations. Advocates there for the first time from the Great Lakes group, then voiced their utter dismay with the way we had all been treated and ignored, and got up and left.
And how were our questions and concerns answered? With lame excuses and condescending lectures.
Why doesn't our government listen, you ask? One can only surmise that our government and its agencies (i.e., NYSERDA) are in bed with the developers. NYSERDA is bent on raising your electric rates in order to benefit multi-national developers, and in turn -- themselves.
NYSERDA told us straight out at last year's meeting, "Industrial wind is not up for debate as it is a political agenda that has been handed down from Washington & Albany." Really???
The hypocrisy of the NYS Energy Research & Development bureaucracy's Mission Statement of providing "independent, objective, scientific proof," versus pursuing "political agendas," is clear, and it is we -- the NYS taxpayers & ratepayers, who will pay the price, while OUR tax & ratepayer dollars continue to be exported overseas in this "climate policy" fraud.
I'm afraid that I could not agree more with the statement Environmentalist, Jon Boone, made three years ago at a presentation in Chautauqua County:
"The politicalization of electricity production, which is what is happening here, corrupts any reasonable sense of enlightened public policy, driven as it is by propagandized sloganeering and a press that much of the time couldn’t hit water with an accurate story about wind if it fell out of a boat. New York State’s Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the politically correct renewable energy oversight group within the state’s PSC, has become one of those grotesque bureaucracies that exist to justify its existence, generating gratuitous inaccuracies about the potential for wind energy in much the same way Cinderella’s step sisters connived to make that damned slipper fit their outsized feet. NYSERDA’s levy of a renewable energy surcharge is nothing more than a legalized bunko scheme for defrauding consumers."
Folks, accountability is a biblical principle. Not only is it time that we held our politicians and government bureaucracies accountable -- we all have a duty to speak out! Silence is agreement. Ignoring what is going on is akin to denial of an addiction -- It won't get better until we acknowledge the problem, and ask God for His help to deal with it. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves, speak out, and demand accountability from our elected officials. As Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
The next "political" development in NYS will likely be "Article X", which is being promoted by Governor-elect Cuomo. This will effectively take away NYS citizen's Home Rule rights to determine whether or not they want wind projects in their community, and if so, under what conditions. Are you willing to sit back and accept this removal of our constitutional rights, or will you stand up and speak out?
Mary Kay Barton
Silver Lake, NY
www.CitizenPowerAlliance.org
The push for the redistribution of our wealth through politicalization of our energy policies was made clear once again at the annual NYS Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) "Partnership for Environmental Improvement" meeting held on 11/18/10 in Albany, when NYSERDA executive, Janet Joseph stated, "...We are looking at transforming our economic system."
The objective of the meeting was supposed to be for NYSERDA to give Environmental Groups from across NYS an opportunity to bring their concerns to NYSERDA's attention, so that NYSERDA could properly address these concerns. The absolute frustration we have faced at getting them to address any of our concerns over the past several years now, was made even worse at this year's meeting. Dr. Thorndike, the Cornell professor on NYSERDA's board who chairs these meetings, elected to skip over the folks from across NYS she knew were there about wind, while letting all the other attendees speak -- despite the fact that we had all been invited by NYSERDA to this meeting, and driven hundreds of miles to get there. When it got to be 3:00 -- past the time the agenda said would be allotted for our comments -- and the meeting was only scheduled to go until 4:00, I decided to speak out -- much to their chagrin, I'm sure.
I pointed out to them that the entire focus in each of their varied presentations that day had been about improving "energy efficiency & reliablity" -- of which industrial wind is neither.
I asked, "You admitted that we don't have the money, the equipment, or the transmission lines in your presentation on Offshore Wind, - so why are we wasting the time and resources soliciting these projects? I can testify that my hometown would be much better off if we spent the money insulating, and installing energy efficient windows in every home. And I dare say, we'd probably save millions in dollars, and emissions in the process, while creating thousands of jobs!" (Why create jobs for local contractors when it's all about servicing Big Corporate, though?!?)
I went on and said, "Two things are missing when it comes to industrial wind -- the science and the money!" NYSERDA has yet to provide the independent, transparent, empirical proof that wind energy can live up to any of the wind industry's claims.
I asked how they could compare industrial wind -- something that has virtually a zero capacity value (can be relied on to be there when called upon), to our reliable, dispatchable, baseload energy sources (i.e., hydro, nuclear, gas, & coal), which "is like comparing a soap box derby car to a Boeing 747." (See: http://www.stopillwind.org/downloads/Overblown.pdf )
I referenced the Colorado/Texas Bentek studies, which looked at actual wind performance data in Texas and Colorado, and concluded that wind caused coal plants to operate more inefficiently, "often resulting in great SO2, NOx, and CO2 emissions than would have occurred if less wind energy were generated and coal generation was not cycled."
No one debated any of the facts I presented.
I looked to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative presenter who had proclaimed that "We must raise the cost of carbon!", and told him that in spite of their demonizing of coal, there is the inconvenient fact that with over 100,000 IWT's that have been installed worldwide to date, NOT one coal plant has been closed down anywhere in the world thanks to industrial wind. I elaborated that it was cheaper, affordable energy that had made our country what it is today, and our poorest poor in this country are far better off than the poor in any other country in the world because we have had affordable power. Their plans to "transform our economic system" will hurt the lowest income folks the most. (See: "Resisting the Green Dragon" at the CornwallAlliance.org )
His response was, "We answered all your questions at the meeting a year ago."
I said, "No you didn't! Dr. Jan Storm, the NYS Dept of Health rep who spoke at the June, 2009 meeting acknowledged the existence of health problems around the world due to citing these things too close to peoples' homes -- but that NYS had not yet undertaken any studies. Here it is a year and a half later, and NYS still has done NO health studies. Yet, you continue to push these projects through! Furthermore, former PSC Sound Engineer, Dan Driscoll, told us all at the June, 2009 meeting that setbacks of approximately 3500 feet would probably alleviate most problems, yet you still have made NO recommendations to communities across NYS dealing with industrial wind developers. As a matter of fact, you have done NOTHING to help protect NYS residents!"
Of course, the typical reply came back, "It's a local matter."
I challenged them, and said, "As NYS's Energy Research & Development 'authority', you have a responsibility to make recommendations to the state on behalf of the people you work for in regard to these projects!"
A fellow advocate from the Tug Hill area jumped in -- citing the fact that she had brought in FERC numbers showing the ridiculous output levels of 12% & 16% from the Maple Ridge project at the last meeting, and then handed all of them copies of the latest peer-reviewed study on the negative health effects of living too close to industrial wind installations. Advocates there for the first time from the Great Lakes group, then voiced their utter dismay with the way we had all been treated and ignored, and got up and left.
And how were our questions and concerns answered? With lame excuses and condescending lectures.
Why doesn't our government listen, you ask? One can only surmise that our government and its agencies (i.e., NYSERDA) are in bed with the developers. NYSERDA is bent on raising your electric rates in order to benefit multi-national developers, and in turn -- themselves.
NYSERDA told us straight out at last year's meeting, "Industrial wind is not up for debate as it is a political agenda that has been handed down from Washington & Albany." Really???
The hypocrisy of the NYS Energy Research & Development bureaucracy's Mission Statement of providing "independent, objective, scientific proof," versus pursuing "political agendas," is clear, and it is we -- the NYS taxpayers & ratepayers, who will pay the price, while OUR tax & ratepayer dollars continue to be exported overseas in this "climate policy" fraud.
I'm afraid that I could not agree more with the statement Environmentalist, Jon Boone, made three years ago at a presentation in Chautauqua County:
"The politicalization of electricity production, which is what is happening here, corrupts any reasonable sense of enlightened public policy, driven as it is by propagandized sloganeering and a press that much of the time couldn’t hit water with an accurate story about wind if it fell out of a boat. New York State’s Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the politically correct renewable energy oversight group within the state’s PSC, has become one of those grotesque bureaucracies that exist to justify its existence, generating gratuitous inaccuracies about the potential for wind energy in much the same way Cinderella’s step sisters connived to make that damned slipper fit their outsized feet. NYSERDA’s levy of a renewable energy surcharge is nothing more than a legalized bunko scheme for defrauding consumers."
Folks, accountability is a biblical principle. Not only is it time that we held our politicians and government bureaucracies accountable -- we all have a duty to speak out! Silence is agreement. Ignoring what is going on is akin to denial of an addiction -- It won't get better until we acknowledge the problem, and ask God for His help to deal with it. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves, speak out, and demand accountability from our elected officials. As Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
The next "political" development in NYS will likely be "Article X", which is being promoted by Governor-elect Cuomo. This will effectively take away NYS citizen's Home Rule rights to determine whether or not they want wind projects in their community, and if so, under what conditions. Are you willing to sit back and accept this removal of our constitutional rights, or will you stand up and speak out?
Mary Kay Barton
Silver Lake, NY
www.CitizenPowerAlliance.org
“Wind Turbines Are Hazardous to Human Health”
Overview of The Problem
Wind turbines such as those currently being constructed in rural areas generate high levels of infrasound noise. This is very low frequency noise (sound waves of less than 20 cycles per second) that you cannot hear. Even though you cannot hear the sound, it is easily detected by the ear at the levels that are produced and can have effects on the body that profoundly disturb some individuals.
The situation is somewhat similar to ultraviolet (UV) light and the eye. We cannot see ultraviolet light but we all understand that it can affect us profoundly, causing sunburn, photokeratitis (also known as snow blindness or welder’s flash) and cataracts. For UV light, there are simple ways that the damaging effects can be avoided using sunscreens and eye protection.
For infrasound exposure in your home, there is currently no way to protect yourself. Although double glazing and door seals will reduce the levels of the sounds you can hear, they have little influence on the infrasound level in the home. Infrasound is a slowly-changing pressure wave, that can only be blocked by completely sealing the house, making it airtight. In practice this cannot be performed due to building codes and the risk of suffocation.
The effects of wind turbine infrasound build up slowly on people. For most, there are no effects while in the vicinity of wind turbines for short periods (such as the workday) and when higher levels of other sounds (i.e. sound you can hear) are present.
The problem arises when people try and sleep in their homes in the presence of wind turbine noise. [Editor's note: Dr. Nina Pierpont's research demonstrates that Wind Turbine Syndrome, for many people, is not limited to their night-time sleep.] The audible sounds are reduced by the house structure, so the room may be fairly quiet, but the sound becomes dominated by the infrasound that the person cannot hear. The infrasound is detected by the ear and has subtle influences on the body that we are only just beginning to understand. It can cause dysequilibrium (like sea-sickness, but not induced by movement), tinnitus, a sensation of fullness in the ear and worst of all, disturb sleep, probably by stimulation of subconscious neural pathways to the brain. [Editor's note: Dr. Pierpont's research demonstrates a considerably larger constellation of symptoms.]
People undergo repeated arousals from sleep (brief partial awakenings that are not remembered) and repeated awakenings when sleeping in such an environment that leave the individual stressed and unrefreshed.
Sleep disturbance over a prolonged period is known to be extremely hazardous to health, causing mental changes, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased mortality. [Editor's note: Dr. Pierpont's research suggests there is more going on here than simply "sleep arousal"; it is a panic response, which she suggests is connected to a vestibular organ response to low-frequency noise/infrasound.]
In many cases, these health effects have been significant enough to force people to abandon their homes. In a few cases the homes have been “bought out” by the wind turbine companies (and the owners typically “silenced” by non-disclosure agreements, otherwise known as “gag” orders), but in others the home is abandoned and is difficult to sell to another family. Properties located in the vicinity of wind turbines are becoming increasingly difficult to sell.
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that significant disturbances of sleep and mental health occur for people living in homes up to 5 kilometers away from the wind turbines. This is because infrasound is capable of traveling greater distances than the sound you normally hear (which is why elephants and whales use it to communicate).
The wind turbine companies and most politicians are turning a deaf ear to this problem, and continue to promulgate false and debunked arguments that no problem exists. In this collection of pages, below, we consider in detail some of these issues in which we have scientific expertise.
Wind turbines such as those currently being constructed in rural areas generate high levels of infrasound noise. This is very low frequency noise (sound waves of less than 20 cycles per second) that you cannot hear. Even though you cannot hear the sound, it is easily detected by the ear at the levels that are produced and can have effects on the body that profoundly disturb some individuals.
The situation is somewhat similar to ultraviolet (UV) light and the eye. We cannot see ultraviolet light but we all understand that it can affect us profoundly, causing sunburn, photokeratitis (also known as snow blindness or welder’s flash) and cataracts. For UV light, there are simple ways that the damaging effects can be avoided using sunscreens and eye protection.
For infrasound exposure in your home, there is currently no way to protect yourself. Although double glazing and door seals will reduce the levels of the sounds you can hear, they have little influence on the infrasound level in the home. Infrasound is a slowly-changing pressure wave, that can only be blocked by completely sealing the house, making it airtight. In practice this cannot be performed due to building codes and the risk of suffocation.
The effects of wind turbine infrasound build up slowly on people. For most, there are no effects while in the vicinity of wind turbines for short periods (such as the workday) and when higher levels of other sounds (i.e. sound you can hear) are present.
The problem arises when people try and sleep in their homes in the presence of wind turbine noise. [Editor's note: Dr. Nina Pierpont's research demonstrates that Wind Turbine Syndrome, for many people, is not limited to their night-time sleep.] The audible sounds are reduced by the house structure, so the room may be fairly quiet, but the sound becomes dominated by the infrasound that the person cannot hear. The infrasound is detected by the ear and has subtle influences on the body that we are only just beginning to understand. It can cause dysequilibrium (like sea-sickness, but not induced by movement), tinnitus, a sensation of fullness in the ear and worst of all, disturb sleep, probably by stimulation of subconscious neural pathways to the brain. [Editor's note: Dr. Pierpont's research demonstrates a considerably larger constellation of symptoms.]
People undergo repeated arousals from sleep (brief partial awakenings that are not remembered) and repeated awakenings when sleeping in such an environment that leave the individual stressed and unrefreshed.
Sleep disturbance over a prolonged period is known to be extremely hazardous to health, causing mental changes, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased mortality. [Editor's note: Dr. Pierpont's research suggests there is more going on here than simply "sleep arousal"; it is a panic response, which she suggests is connected to a vestibular organ response to low-frequency noise/infrasound.]
In many cases, these health effects have been significant enough to force people to abandon their homes. In a few cases the homes have been “bought out” by the wind turbine companies (and the owners typically “silenced” by non-disclosure agreements, otherwise known as “gag” orders), but in others the home is abandoned and is difficult to sell to another family. Properties located in the vicinity of wind turbines are becoming increasingly difficult to sell.
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that significant disturbances of sleep and mental health occur for people living in homes up to 5 kilometers away from the wind turbines. This is because infrasound is capable of traveling greater distances than the sound you normally hear (which is why elephants and whales use it to communicate).
The wind turbine companies and most politicians are turning a deaf ear to this problem, and continue to promulgate false and debunked arguments that no problem exists. In this collection of pages, below, we consider in detail some of these issues in which we have scientific expertise.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Maine Voices: An 82-year-old got tired of spitting into the wind, went out on a limb
LINCOLN - My name is Donald Smith. I am 82 years old and a native Mainer. I am a veteran and a grandfather. I was arrested and charged with criminal trespass at the Rollins Mountain wind project site in Lincoln on Nov. 8. Five of us formed a human barricade to the site.
Dozens of others braved the cold rainy November day to protest First Wind's project.
Many people have asked me why I did this. Good question. I hope I give good answers.
The first reason is that nobody seems to be paying attention to the negative aspects of wind power -- least of all the complacent and complicit media in Maine.
If we had just stood out there with signs, even the local reporter would likely have overlooked the event. putting myself on the line to dramatize why this project is so wrong, it caught the attention of media far and wide.
It seems that most people understand utility scale (or industrial) wind power superficially, accepting wind power as "green" and "clean" and the panacea for solving energy and climate challenges. It is the result of years of masterful propaganda by the wind industry.
ALL ABOUT SUBSIDIES
Some of us have actually done a lot of research into industrial wind and have found huge negatives. dramatically raising the visibility of the issue with the arrests, we are getting people to discover these negatives as the follow-up dialogue occurs.
I have gained insights from my research into industrial wind. The wind industry would not exist without massive government subsidies. For example, the US Energy Information Administration reports that in 2007, wind received $23.37 per megawatt hour in subsidies; the next highest subsidy was $1.59 for nuclear. Those are our tax dollars going into something that doesn't work.
We are putting up wind turbines in places where there isn't enough wind to generate electricity. Look at the NREL map of wind potential in Maine. The area around Lincoln Lakes is all white. Look at the color code and white means "poor."
My guess is wind turbines are not about generating electricity, but about selling a carbon tax in the form of renewable energy certificates, raking in production tax credits, and having the taxpayers pay the cost of construction.
Another reason I got arrested is to protest the proliferation of these industrial wind projects. I retired to live a quiet life on Caribou Pond, with a view of Rollins Mountain. That ridge will have 15 turbines, each 389 feet high. The total number of turbines will be 40 on Rollins Mountain and the ridges of Rocky Dundee.
TOO DESTRUCTIVE TO BE GREEN
An acoustics expert stated that the noise from these turbines will negatively impact hundreds of people on the lakes and nearby country roads, the same well-documented noise problems that have been experienced at Mars Hill, Freedom and Vinalhaven.
I am not a NIMBY. I don't believe these industrial machines belong anywhere in the rural landscape. Not in anyone's yard -- back, front or side.
The noise issue is just one of many. If you could see the destruction of Rollins Mountain taking place right now, you would never consider this a "green" project. The DEP would fine me if I moved a rock at my home, yet they approved ridges being blasted away and scalped. They will never be the same.
The Rollins project will blast away more than seven miles of ridges and clear-cut more than one thousand acres and install 20 miles of powerlines to tie into the grid.
That is for just one project. Without thinking through the ramifications, the Legislature in 2008 passed LD 2283, a horrible law to give favoritism to wind power. They chose an arbitrary figure of 2,700 megawatts of installed capacity by 2020, which at a generous actual output of 25 percent, ends up being just 675 megawatts of intermittent, unpredictable, unreliable power.
If Rollins is 60 megawatts, then it will mean 45 more projects like this to achieve the goal.
THE PRICE IS WAY TOO STEEP
Do the math. Based on the impact of Rollins, that means at least 315 miles of Maine ridges and mountains blasted away to install 1,800 turbines; 45,000 acres or more of carbon sequestrating forest permanently clear-cut; and 1,000 miles or more of new powerlines.
The price? Rollins' price tag of $130 million times 45 is a staggering $5.85 billion.
Why did I get arrested? To help bring forth what a folly this is and how damaging it is to Maine's environment. Wind power is bad economics and bad public policy. It is far from "green." The negative impacts of these projects on the environment and our quality of place far outweigh the pittance of good they might do for the planet.
Dozens of others braved the cold rainy November day to protest First Wind's project.
Many people have asked me why I did this. Good question. I hope I give good answers.
The first reason is that nobody seems to be paying attention to the negative aspects of wind power -- least of all the complacent and complicit media in Maine.
If we had just stood out there with signs, even the local reporter would likely have overlooked the event. putting myself on the line to dramatize why this project is so wrong, it caught the attention of media far and wide.
It seems that most people understand utility scale (or industrial) wind power superficially, accepting wind power as "green" and "clean" and the panacea for solving energy and climate challenges. It is the result of years of masterful propaganda by the wind industry.
ALL ABOUT SUBSIDIES
Some of us have actually done a lot of research into industrial wind and have found huge negatives. dramatically raising the visibility of the issue with the arrests, we are getting people to discover these negatives as the follow-up dialogue occurs.
I have gained insights from my research into industrial wind. The wind industry would not exist without massive government subsidies. For example, the US Energy Information Administration reports that in 2007, wind received $23.37 per megawatt hour in subsidies; the next highest subsidy was $1.59 for nuclear. Those are our tax dollars going into something that doesn't work.
We are putting up wind turbines in places where there isn't enough wind to generate electricity. Look at the NREL map of wind potential in Maine. The area around Lincoln Lakes is all white. Look at the color code and white means "poor."
My guess is wind turbines are not about generating electricity, but about selling a carbon tax in the form of renewable energy certificates, raking in production tax credits, and having the taxpayers pay the cost of construction.
Another reason I got arrested is to protest the proliferation of these industrial wind projects. I retired to live a quiet life on Caribou Pond, with a view of Rollins Mountain. That ridge will have 15 turbines, each 389 feet high. The total number of turbines will be 40 on Rollins Mountain and the ridges of Rocky Dundee.
TOO DESTRUCTIVE TO BE GREEN
An acoustics expert stated that the noise from these turbines will negatively impact hundreds of people on the lakes and nearby country roads, the same well-documented noise problems that have been experienced at Mars Hill, Freedom and Vinalhaven.
I am not a NIMBY. I don't believe these industrial machines belong anywhere in the rural landscape. Not in anyone's yard -- back, front or side.
The noise issue is just one of many. If you could see the destruction of Rollins Mountain taking place right now, you would never consider this a "green" project. The DEP would fine me if I moved a rock at my home, yet they approved ridges being blasted away and scalped. They will never be the same.
The Rollins project will blast away more than seven miles of ridges and clear-cut more than one thousand acres and install 20 miles of powerlines to tie into the grid.
That is for just one project. Without thinking through the ramifications, the Legislature in 2008 passed LD 2283, a horrible law to give favoritism to wind power. They chose an arbitrary figure of 2,700 megawatts of installed capacity by 2020, which at a generous actual output of 25 percent, ends up being just 675 megawatts of intermittent, unpredictable, unreliable power.
If Rollins is 60 megawatts, then it will mean 45 more projects like this to achieve the goal.
THE PRICE IS WAY TOO STEEP
Do the math. Based on the impact of Rollins, that means at least 315 miles of Maine ridges and mountains blasted away to install 1,800 turbines; 45,000 acres or more of carbon sequestrating forest permanently clear-cut; and 1,000 miles or more of new powerlines.
The price? Rollins' price tag of $130 million times 45 is a staggering $5.85 billion.
Why did I get arrested? To help bring forth what a folly this is and how damaging it is to Maine's environment. Wind power is bad economics and bad public policy. It is far from "green." The negative impacts of these projects on the environment and our quality of place far outweigh the pittance of good they might do for the planet.
New Jersey lawmakers endorse Wind Turbine Syndrome, calling for 2000 ft. setbacks
“The Legislature finds and declares that . . . recent developments in the area of wind power production have . . . indicated that the noise and vibration stemming from the operation of large-scale industrial wind turbines may cause nearby residents to suffer from a health condition known as “wind turbine syndrome,” which may result in sleep disturbance, headaches, ringing of the ears, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, racing heartbeat, irritability, problems with memory and concentration, and panic episodes accompanied by internal pulsation or quivering sensations; that people have moved away from their homes to avoid the ill effects associated with “wind turbine syndrome”; and that medical, noise, and acoustics experts, as well as wind energy organizations, have indicated that incidents of “wind turbine syndrome” can be avoided if industrial-strength wind turbines are sited a considerable distance away from residential property.”
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits siting of industrial wind turbines within 2,000 feet of any residence or residentially zoned property.
AN ACT concerning wind energy and supplementing Titles 13 and 40 of the Revised Statutes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Legislature finds and declares that industrial-strength wind turbines can be over 400 feet tall and have blades that sweep up to 1.5 acres in area; that, as a result of their size, these machines have the potential to obstruct scenic vistas, create large community eyesores, and reduce property values for nearby residents unless they are sited at appropriate distances from residential areas; that recent developments in the area of wind power production have further indicated that the noise and vibration stemming from the operation of large-scale industrial wind turbines may cause nearby residents to suffer from a health condition known as “wind turbine syndrome,” which may result in sleep disturbance, headaches, ringing of the ears, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, racing heartbeat, irritability, problems with memory and concentration, and panic episodes accompanied by internal pulsation or quivering sensations; that people have moved away from their homes to avoid the ill effects associated with “wind turbine syndrome”; and that medical, noise, and acoustics experts, as well as wind energy organizations, have indicated that incidents of “wind turbine syndrome” can be avoided if industrial-strength wind turbines are sited a considerable distance away from residential property.
b. The Legislature therefore finds that, in order to protect the public health and welfare, and in order to preserve the scenic vistas enjoyed by State residents and protect residents from unnecessary reductions in property value, it is both reasonable and necessary to prohibit the siting of industrial-strength wind turbines in or near residential areas.
2. a. No wind energy structure may be erected or installed in the State at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
b. No State entity may approve any plan, proposal, or permit application for a wind energy structure if that wind energy structure will be erected or installed at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply only to wind energy structures erected or installed in the State subsequent to the effective date of this act.
d. As used in this section, “wind energy structure” means any on- or off-shore turbine, facility, farm, or other structure that is designed for the purpose of supplying electrical energy produced from wind technology, but shall not include a “small wind energy system,” as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.244 (C.40:55D-66.12).
3. a. No municipal agency may approve any plan, proposal, or permit application for a wind energy structure if that wind energy structure will be erected or installed at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
b. The provisions of this section shall apply only to wind energy structures erected or installed in the State subsequent to the effective date of this act.
c. As used in this section, “wind energy structure” means any on- or off-shore turbine, facility, farm, or other structure that is designed for the purpose of supplying electrical energy produced from wind technology, but shall not include a “small wind energy system,” as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.244 (C.40:55D-66.12).
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would prohibit the siting of any industrial-strength wind energy production system within 2,000 feet of any residence or residentially zoned property. It would further prohibit any State entity or local government unit from approving a plan, proposal, or permit application for any industrial wind energy system that will be so sited.
The bill’s prohibitions are necessary in order to ensure that the increased use of wind energy in the State will not cause a significant obstruction of scenic views or reduction in home values for New Jersey residents, and, more importantly, will not cause New Jersey residents to suffer from the ill health effects associated with “wind turbine syndrome” – a condition that has been connected with the close placement of industrial-scale wind turbines to residential areas. Symptoms of “wind turbine syndrome” include sleep disturbance, headaches, ringing of the ears, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, racing heartbeat, irritability, problems with memory and concentration, and panic episodes accompanied by internal pulsation or quivering. These symptoms, which are continuing in nature, often force people to move away from their homes. Experts on “wind turbine syndrome,” experts in noise and acoustics, and wind energy associations, however, have all indicated that instances of “wind turbine syndrome” can be avoided if industrial wind energy systems are sited a considerable distance away from residential housing. Such distant siting would also alleviate potential problems associated with vista obstruction, and would ease the impact of industrial wind energy facilities on property values. Consequently, in order to protect the public health and welfare, and preserve the State’s scenic vistas and residential property values, it is both reasonable and necessary to prohibit the erection of industrial wind energy facilities within 2,000 feet of any residential property.
It is important to note, however, that this bill would not apply to the siting of small wind energy systems that are used primarily for on-site consumption purposes. “Wind turbine syndrome” has been associated only with the residential placement of large-scale, industrial-strength wind turbines. Moreover, small, personal-use wind energy systems are not likely to cause significant vista obstruction or the reduction of surrounding property values, as is true of their larger, industrial counterparts.
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits siting of industrial wind turbines within 2,000 feet of any residence or residentially zoned property.
AN ACT concerning wind energy and supplementing Titles 13 and 40 of the Revised Statutes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Legislature finds and declares that industrial-strength wind turbines can be over 400 feet tall and have blades that sweep up to 1.5 acres in area; that, as a result of their size, these machines have the potential to obstruct scenic vistas, create large community eyesores, and reduce property values for nearby residents unless they are sited at appropriate distances from residential areas; that recent developments in the area of wind power production have further indicated that the noise and vibration stemming from the operation of large-scale industrial wind turbines may cause nearby residents to suffer from a health condition known as “wind turbine syndrome,” which may result in sleep disturbance, headaches, ringing of the ears, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, racing heartbeat, irritability, problems with memory and concentration, and panic episodes accompanied by internal pulsation or quivering sensations; that people have moved away from their homes to avoid the ill effects associated with “wind turbine syndrome”; and that medical, noise, and acoustics experts, as well as wind energy organizations, have indicated that incidents of “wind turbine syndrome” can be avoided if industrial-strength wind turbines are sited a considerable distance away from residential property.
b. The Legislature therefore finds that, in order to protect the public health and welfare, and in order to preserve the scenic vistas enjoyed by State residents and protect residents from unnecessary reductions in property value, it is both reasonable and necessary to prohibit the siting of industrial-strength wind turbines in or near residential areas.
2. a. No wind energy structure may be erected or installed in the State at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
b. No State entity may approve any plan, proposal, or permit application for a wind energy structure if that wind energy structure will be erected or installed at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
c. The provisions of this section shall apply only to wind energy structures erected or installed in the State subsequent to the effective date of this act.
d. As used in this section, “wind energy structure” means any on- or off-shore turbine, facility, farm, or other structure that is designed for the purpose of supplying electrical energy produced from wind technology, but shall not include a “small wind energy system,” as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.244 (C.40:55D-66.12).
3. a. No municipal agency may approve any plan, proposal, or permit application for a wind energy structure if that wind energy structure will be erected or installed at a site that is closer than 2,000 feet from any residence or residentially zoned property.
b. The provisions of this section shall apply only to wind energy structures erected or installed in the State subsequent to the effective date of this act.
c. As used in this section, “wind energy structure” means any on- or off-shore turbine, facility, farm, or other structure that is designed for the purpose of supplying electrical energy produced from wind technology, but shall not include a “small wind energy system,” as defined by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.244 (C.40:55D-66.12).
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would prohibit the siting of any industrial-strength wind energy production system within 2,000 feet of any residence or residentially zoned property. It would further prohibit any State entity or local government unit from approving a plan, proposal, or permit application for any industrial wind energy system that will be so sited.
The bill’s prohibitions are necessary in order to ensure that the increased use of wind energy in the State will not cause a significant obstruction of scenic views or reduction in home values for New Jersey residents, and, more importantly, will not cause New Jersey residents to suffer from the ill health effects associated with “wind turbine syndrome” – a condition that has been connected with the close placement of industrial-scale wind turbines to residential areas. Symptoms of “wind turbine syndrome” include sleep disturbance, headaches, ringing of the ears, ear pressure, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, visual blurring, racing heartbeat, irritability, problems with memory and concentration, and panic episodes accompanied by internal pulsation or quivering. These symptoms, which are continuing in nature, often force people to move away from their homes. Experts on “wind turbine syndrome,” experts in noise and acoustics, and wind energy associations, however, have all indicated that instances of “wind turbine syndrome” can be avoided if industrial wind energy systems are sited a considerable distance away from residential housing. Such distant siting would also alleviate potential problems associated with vista obstruction, and would ease the impact of industrial wind energy facilities on property values. Consequently, in order to protect the public health and welfare, and preserve the State’s scenic vistas and residential property values, it is both reasonable and necessary to prohibit the erection of industrial wind energy facilities within 2,000 feet of any residential property.
It is important to note, however, that this bill would not apply to the siting of small wind energy systems that are used primarily for on-site consumption purposes. “Wind turbine syndrome” has been associated only with the residential placement of large-scale, industrial-strength wind turbines. Moreover, small, personal-use wind energy systems are not likely to cause significant vista obstruction or the reduction of surrounding property values, as is true of their larger, industrial counterparts.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Prattsburgh residents updated on wind farm lawsuit
An informational meeting Tuesday night on the status of a lawsuit between a wind energy company and the town of Prattsburgh drew sharp lines between a divided town and a divided town board.
Ed Hourihan, the attorney defending the town in the lawsuit filed by wind farm developer Ecogen, told a crowd of 100 residents state Supreme Court Justice Ark has given the two groups time to reach an out-of-court agreement.
He said John Calloway, a representative from Ecogen’s largest shareholder, Pattern Energy, has agreed to talk to representatives from Prattsburgh and the neighboring town of Italy. Italyalso is being sued by Ecogen on a related wind farm matter.
Ecogen maintains an agreement reached 3-2 by the outgoing pro-wind Prattsburgh town board in December is binding, despite the fact the new town board rescinded the agreement 4-1 the following January.
The majority of the new board believes the December agreement violates a number of laws, including the right to home rule.
Hourihan said the new board’s action prevented Ecogen from going ahead with its plans to build a 16-turbine wind farm in the town.
He said other court decisions support the new board’s action.
“It’s safe to say had the board not rescinded the settlement you could have turbines in your backyards right now,” Hourihan said.
Preventing the construction didn’t please some residents, who said they had wanted the project to go forward this year.
“You came in and stopped something (a lot of us) wanted,” one woman said.
But the cost of the lawsuit – pegged this year at $49,393 – was the chief concern of the meeting, with some angrily charging other legal costs had been hidden.
Hourihan also privately represented councilmen Chuck Shick and Steve Kula in the fall of 2009, and some residents charged those bills were hidden in the town costs.
However, Hourihan said his bill itemized every action taken on behalf of the town after Jan. 1. Any personal – or town -- expenses in 2009 had not been charged to the town, he said.
Hourihan said current town Supervisor Al Wordingham told him the new board was not authorized to pay $35,000 for legal services last year.
“Now, would I like the money? Sure,” Hourihan said. “But I’m not getting it.”
When councilwoman Stacey Bottoni pointed out the town had apparently paid Kula’s and Shick’s final account, they said they would check out the $200 fee, and repay it if a mistake had occurred.
Bottoni, who supports Ecogen, also complained she had been “kept in the dark” about the bills. Hourihan said the information has always been available to here.
But Bottoni said she relied on frequent calls to Ecogen representatives for her information.
“Well, and that concerns me, Stacey,” Hourihan said, adding her contacts with Ecogen seemed to violation of client-attorney confidentiality.”
Other concerns were raised about the proposed talks with Calloway. Prattsburgh officials have suggested the developer use its original 100-site map to find other locations and reduce noise levels.
One resident asked if property owners in those other locations had been contacted to see if they wanted the 400-foot tall turbines on their land.
Kula questioned whether the town government could approach owners, but said it might be possible to form a citizens’ committee.
Bottoni angrily countered Ecogen already has spent millions on the project and doesn’t want to spend more money for new studies.
However, Shick pointed out the basic environmental studies for all the sites have been completed.
Some residents were worried because action on another ruling by Ark has been put on hold while the parties try to work out a compromise.
Ark supported the town’s request for sworn statements from the previous town board and other officials on the events that led to the December agreement. The deadline for the statements was Nov. 24.
Hourihan said he notified Ark the sworn statements would be delayed because of the proposed talks.
Hourihan said it would cost the town $25,000 to get the statements – and might be unnecessary if a compromise was reached.
Bottoni told the group the town was trying to prove the town illegally sided with the developer. She said there had been no illegal collusion.
“We wanted it,” she said. “We’ve wanted it for three years.”
Ed Hourihan, the attorney defending the town in the lawsuit filed by wind farm developer Ecogen, told a crowd of 100 residents state Supreme Court Justice Ark has given the two groups time to reach an out-of-court agreement.
He said John Calloway, a representative from Ecogen’s largest shareholder, Pattern Energy, has agreed to talk to representatives from Prattsburgh and the neighboring town of Italy. Italyalso is being sued by Ecogen on a related wind farm matter.
Ecogen maintains an agreement reached 3-2 by the outgoing pro-wind Prattsburgh town board in December is binding, despite the fact the new town board rescinded the agreement 4-1 the following January.
The majority of the new board believes the December agreement violates a number of laws, including the right to home rule.
Hourihan said the new board’s action prevented Ecogen from going ahead with its plans to build a 16-turbine wind farm in the town.
He said other court decisions support the new board’s action.
“It’s safe to say had the board not rescinded the settlement you could have turbines in your backyards right now,” Hourihan said.
Preventing the construction didn’t please some residents, who said they had wanted the project to go forward this year.
“You came in and stopped something (a lot of us) wanted,” one woman said.
But the cost of the lawsuit – pegged this year at $49,393 – was the chief concern of the meeting, with some angrily charging other legal costs had been hidden.
Hourihan also privately represented councilmen Chuck Shick and Steve Kula in the fall of 2009, and some residents charged those bills were hidden in the town costs.
However, Hourihan said his bill itemized every action taken on behalf of the town after Jan. 1. Any personal – or town -- expenses in 2009 had not been charged to the town, he said.
Hourihan said current town Supervisor Al Wordingham told him the new board was not authorized to pay $35,000 for legal services last year.
“Now, would I like the money? Sure,” Hourihan said. “But I’m not getting it.”
When councilwoman Stacey Bottoni pointed out the town had apparently paid Kula’s and Shick’s final account, they said they would check out the $200 fee, and repay it if a mistake had occurred.
Bottoni, who supports Ecogen, also complained she had been “kept in the dark” about the bills. Hourihan said the information has always been available to here.
But Bottoni said she relied on frequent calls to Ecogen representatives for her information.
“Well, and that concerns me, Stacey,” Hourihan said, adding her contacts with Ecogen seemed to violation of client-attorney confidentiality.”
Other concerns were raised about the proposed talks with Calloway. Prattsburgh officials have suggested the developer use its original 100-site map to find other locations and reduce noise levels.
One resident asked if property owners in those other locations had been contacted to see if they wanted the 400-foot tall turbines on their land.
Kula questioned whether the town government could approach owners, but said it might be possible to form a citizens’ committee.
Bottoni angrily countered Ecogen already has spent millions on the project and doesn’t want to spend more money for new studies.
However, Shick pointed out the basic environmental studies for all the sites have been completed.
Some residents were worried because action on another ruling by Ark has been put on hold while the parties try to work out a compromise.
Ark supported the town’s request for sworn statements from the previous town board and other officials on the events that led to the December agreement. The deadline for the statements was Nov. 24.
Hourihan said he notified Ark the sworn statements would be delayed because of the proposed talks.
Hourihan said it would cost the town $25,000 to get the statements – and might be unnecessary if a compromise was reached.
Bottoni told the group the town was trying to prove the town illegally sided with the developer. She said there had been no illegal collusion.
“We wanted it,” she said. “We’ve wanted it for three years.”
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