Updates

Hi All

After I sent you the message about the media release from
Tararua-Aokauetere Guardians yesterday, I was informed that the local
paper had a small article on the front page.  Tonight's paper as
linked below has four stories, which I have not yet read all.  The
"conflicting statements" story is quite amusing.

Deadlines for submissions close on Monday, so I suspect that the
process will now heat up.  Mission accomplished for now and thought
you may wish to know of happenings.

best of regards
Harvey

For those who may not get the Manawatu Standard, you can link to 4
lead stories from the stuff web page of today's paper (31st August 2006)
at
        http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,0a6003,00.html

The PN City Council consultation documentation for the project (ie
positive PR spin) can be found for those particularly sick people who
do not have enough battles to fight at
http://www.pncc.govt.nz/City/News/WhatsHot.htm?sec=What's%20Hot&ID=5337

regards
Harvey

NEWS REPORT

Hi All

This issue Reports on more ecological problems (birds etc), lack of wind at key need, more objections, board room deals, legislation change attempts. The document about False Wind Industry and electric grids may be useful for some.

Also some new pictures of the Te Apiti wind Farm, Manawatu (2. 6 km distance from Ashhurst) to share with others from a NZ perspective. The Elk River, Kansas before and after shots will worry our Otago comrades if something similar happens down there.

All the best in your battles.

 Harvey

..........



Romney plan backs wind power August 28, 2006 by Christopher Marcisz, Staff Writer in Berkshire Eagle He's looking to the Berkshires to show he is for renewable energy and wind power, and we don't have the political clout to put him in an awkward position, " said Eleanor Tillinghast, of the group Green Berkshires, which opposes wind turbines. http://www.windaction.org/news/4707more..

Golisano back in the game : Company to develop community-based wind development August 27, 2006 by Andy Thompson & Michelle King, Staff Writers in Hornell Evening Tribune HARTSVILLE - Billionaire Tom Golisano is back in the wind game. Steve Dombert - a frequent critic of the planned Airtricity development - Friday said Golisano has formed a new company and hired an engineer to develop community-based wind farms. "We're going to rejoin the battle," Dombert said of the formation of Empire State Wind Energy. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4697>more...

Researchers work to ensure survival of a rare songbird August 27, 2006 by Mary Esch, Associated Press in Newsday "It's a difficult bird to study because it's distributed across a fragmented range of mountaintops which we sometimes refer to as 'sky islands. ' We estimate the total population to be between 20, 000 and 40, 000 birds, " Rimmer said. The bird's habitat faces potential threats from ski area development, communications tower construction, wind energy projects, acid rain, mercury and global warming. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4692>more...

Wind farm debate has wide reach August 27, 2006 by Dan Shapley, Gannett News Service in Utica Observer Dispatch The wind energy company that has proposed building wind turbines in rural Herkimer County is relying heavily on support from communities in the Lower Hudson Valley for funding. Community Energy convinced many downstate towns, businesses and individuals to subsidize electricity produced from what would be its first wind farm in New York. The Jordanville Wind Project would have as many as 75 wind turbines on private land that would generate enough power for as many as 60, 000 homes. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4682>more...

How green is my valley? - Interactive map of UK renewable energy locations goes live August 26, 2006 by Department of Trade and Industry (National) The Government's recent Energy Review outlined plans for another big push on renewables up to 2020 and progress on their development can now be easily tracked via a dynamic DTI web facility that is launching today. On and offshore wind farms, solar power schemes, hydro electric and biofuel projects across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can all now be located at the click of a mouse. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4700>more...

Town of Hornellsville Board Members Say They Have Not Made Personal Agreements with Wind Companies August 25, 2006 in WCKR Hornellsville board members we spoke with in the past 24 hours say that unlike elected officials in Howard, Hornby and Hartsville, they have not entered into contracts with wind energy companies--the same companies that must get the approval of these same board members before they can operate. A review of records reveals that if the giant wind turbines ever become a reality in our area, it will be town officials who benefit most. Here are the very interesting results of a study on energy companies and town officials. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4658>more...

Airport's objections block wind turbine plan - PLANS to power a Cramlington factory by wind have been knocked back. August 25, 2006 in Blyth Wansbeck Today Blyth Valley Council refused planning permission to enable Aesica Pharmaceuticals to install two wind turbines up to 140 metres high at its plant in Shotton Lane. Although several members of the council's development control panel felt the application was a positive step towards using renewable forms of energy, a vote concluded that the turbines would impact on radar systems in the flight path to and from Newcastle Airport. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4647>more...

Serious blow for proposed turbine park August 25, 2006 by Jean Paul Vellotti in Long Island Business News When the wind blows, the turbines will rock – when it doesn't, there's trouble. At least, for those who would put a wind farm off Long Island's South Shore. During the hottest days of this year, as energy consumption records fell across the Island, there was nary a breeze – and not nearly enough wind to power the turbines of the Long Island Power Authority's proposed Offshore Wind Park to their 140-megawatt capacity, according to Suffolk County Leg. Wayne Horsley, D-Babylon. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4642>more...

Wind Power Proves Divisive, Even for Environmentalists August 24, 2006 by Susan Sharon, All Things Considered in NPR Tapping into wind power's clean energy isn't as simple as it sounds. Even the environmental groups that tout sustainable energy are divided when it comes to the massive turbines. In Maine, a key environmental group opposes plans to put turbines on a high-visibility ridgeline.
< http://www.windaction.org/news/4663>more...

No common ground in wind farm debate August 24, 2006 by Bill Fonda in The Upper Cape Codder The hour-long discussion was moderated by The Upper Cape Codder's editor in chief, Mark Skala, and was taped for broadcast on cable access stations around Cape Cod. Questions posed to Gordon and Vinick came from readers and from the newspaper's editorial board. Back-and-forth exchanges over each question quickly illustrated the wide gap between the two articulate and spirited participants... < http://www.windaction.org/news/4631>more...

Conservationists React with Anger to Cairngorms Windfarm Proposals August 23, 2006 by Iain Ramage in This is North Scotland Leading conservationists last night condemned proposals for a commercial windfarm on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Energy firm npower has lodged a planning application with Highland Council to erect two 165ft wind-measuring masts on the Balavil Estate by Kingussie. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4604>more...

When it comes to wind, GE means business August 23, 2006 by Craig Salters in Harwich Oracle Wind power is just one aspect of Atlanta-based GE Energy, which sells products and know-how to all areas of the energy industry. Those areas range from coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power to emerging energy industries like solar power. In 2005, GE Energy generated $16. 5 billion in revenue for its parent company. With respect to wind, the company has wind turbine manufacturing plants in Germany, Spain, China, Canada and the United States. It boasts a "knowledge base" earned by the installation of more than 8, 500 wind turbines worldwide with a total output of 7, 600 megawatts. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4601>more...



Wind Farm Te Apiti, Ashhurst (NZ)

Accident Prone Technology

Bending with the wind

The Horns Rev offshore wind farm development was shut down on 4 November when a test wind turbine of the type being used in the project suffered damage owing to the failure of a safety system. The unit in question was a Vestas V80-2.0 MW offshore unit located at Tjæreborg, Denmark. All damage was confined to the turbine blades. But it was the second turbine failure due to overspeed in just a few days, the other occurring on a Nordex site in Norway. Both were caused by human interference in control systems, and have serious implications for how testing and service procedures are currently carried out, and how they should be. More...

Belgian windfarm in safety scare

31 August 2004

BRUSSELS – The authorities in the Belgian coastal town of Zeebrugge have decided to carry out emergency inspections of nearby windfarms after the propeller of a generator broke loose, it was reported on Tuesday.

Flemish daily Het Gazet van Antwerpen said the authorities had decided to carry out the inspections after the three tonne propeller blade became detached and was blown 100 metres through the air   More....

Turbines working again after fire

The fire on the turbine sparked a major alert Wind turbines are again producing power at the giant Nissan car plant on Wearside, a month after one of the six machines burst into flames.

Eight fire crews attended the Sunderland car plant after fire broke out on one of the 167ft (51m) Danish-built turbines on 23 December.  More....

Artist & Poet to give talk on Otago Uplands

On Tuesday 29 August, in the Municipal Chambers Skegg's Gallery at 7 pm, iconic painter Marilynn Webb and poet and editor Richard Reeve will speak collectively on 'Art in Our Outback', the second talk in a lecture series, 'Life in the Outback', organised by the Upland Landscape Protection Society.

Webb, who holds an emerita position at the School of Art, arrived at Mahinerangi in 1974 while Frances Hodgkins Fellow, later buying property from the family of the recently deceased dramatist and arts patron, Patric Carey. In the decades following, Webb would produce images of the surrounding landscape which are of central significance in the New Zealand arts canon. As a painter she was also involved in the Vietnam War protests, the campaign to save Aramoana from the Comalco smelter in the early 1980s, opposition to the Clyde dam and the fight to stop Project Aqua.

Reeve, who has published a number of books of poetry and holds a PhD on 'New Zealand poetic reality', is the founding editor of Glottis: New Writing, recipient of a number of national literary awards and accolades, editor of forthcoming Landfall 212: The Capital of Nowhere and an editor for Otago University Press. He is a dedicated tramper, and has written a body of work reflecting the Otago Uplands. Reeve will discuss the concept of the 'poetic', its relationship to New Zealand poetry and environmentalism, his own wanderings, and read from recent work.

This is the second of five talks, planned to raise awareness of the paradoxical significance of the hinterland in local life. All members of the public are warmly welcomed to the talks, which have been deemed by their organisers to be 'in the public interest'.

www.uplandlandscapeprotection.org

News Alerts Continued...

Report finds wind farm plan illegal August 20, 2006 by Michael Levenson in Boston Globe A Romney administration report has concluded that a proposal by a prominent Boston developer to build up to 120 wind turbines off Buzzards Bay would violate state law and could threaten an endangered species of bird. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4535>more...

Greenbrier is Ground Zero in fight over wind power - Environmentalist Sierra Club backs plan for 124 towers August 19, 2006 by Eric Eyre, Staff writer in Charleston Gazette For years, West Virginia's environmentalists have been united in their battles with the coal industry. But they have become increasingly divided over whether the state should sacrifice its scenic mountain views and open its doors to wind energy developers. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4521>more...

Wind farm idea leads to a storm August 19, 2006 by Richard Batson in EDP24 A big wind farm plan off the north Norfolk coast has suffered a major blow, after county planning councillors objected to the scheme. Fears about the potential damage to coastal views and the local fishing industry outweighed the green energy benefits, they felt. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4519>more...

Considering the alternatives August 19, 2006 by Lisa Rathke, Associated Press in Brattleboro Reformer "One of Vermont's most deeply held environmental ethics is the protection and preservation of our mountaintops and ridge lines, " said Jason Gibbs, a spokesman for Gov. Jim Douglas. "While the governor supports renewable energy... he cannot support the commercialization and industrialization of our mountaintops. " < http://www.windaction.org/news/4516>more...

Ministry eyes steps to stop migrating birds from being killed by wind turbines August 17, 2006 in The Asahi Shimbun The [Japanese] Environment Ministry is urgently trying to find ways to stop migrating birds from crashing into wind turbines amid government plans to dramatically increase this form of power generation. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4509>more...

Italy law would ban wind turbines August 17, 2006 by Gina Muscato in Finger Lakes Times ITALY - Local residents' concerns - and possible litigation - have prompted town officials to include an industrial wind turbine ban in the zoning law they're formulating. It had already included regulations on setback and height but now calls for an all-out ban, as well. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4482>more...

Blow the plan down August 17, 2006 by Jean Paul Vellotti in Long Island Business News HAUPPAUGE – There's a plan in the works that could blow the Long Island Power Authority's proposed wind park out of the water. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4506>more...

Turbines go-ahead a 'disgrace and sham' August 17, 2006 in Blackpool Today A STORM of protest has been whipped up over two giant rooftop wind turbines – just metres from homes and hotels. But the turbines – which have won approval in the corridors of power – will be as close as 20m to some properties, the closest wind turbines have ever been to houses in the UK. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4476>more...

Cherry Valley adopts 90-day moratorium - Previous vote regarding wind project not legally binding, supervisor says August 17, 2006 in The Daily Star At a special meeting Tuesday night, the Cherry Valley town Board voted unanimously to adopt a 90-day moratorium on major development. The moratorium will allow the town board enough time to adopt rules to regulate Reunion Power's proposed wind farm on East Hill, according to Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Thomas Garretson. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4464>more..

Naples Takes Preemptive Strike Against Wind Farms August 15, 2006 by Katrina Irwin in WROC TV The town of Naples has taken a preemptive strike against wind farms moving into town. Monday night, the town board voted to ban industrial wind turbines. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4444>more...

Greens to campaign against Bald Hills wind farm August 15, 2006 in ABC Victoria The Greens will campaign to stop the Bald Hills wind farm in the seat of Gippsland South in the lead-up to the Victorian election in November. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4438>more...

Rural population growth brings new challenges August 20, 2006 in Manitowoc Herald If the recent, controversy over the wind turbine farms planned by Navitas Energy and Emerging Energies, has taught us anything, it is that it is better to have a land-use policy in place than to invent one as we go. The county got into a controversy over the issue of permitting the wind turbines because it did not have a policy in place. < http://www.windaction.org/opinions/4546>more..

NEWS ALERTS

Wind project tussle looms August 21, 2006 by Liz McKinnon in Warrnambool Standard A WIND farm at Cape Bridgewater approved in the 1990s would not gain approval today because of its impact on the natural tourism asset, a local resident who fought the first proposal in the late 1990s has claimed. Portland consultant and Cape Bridgewater resident Bruce Campbell said Bridgewater had the second highest scenic landscape values in Victoria, behind the Twelve Apostles, as rated by the National Trust, and was the Glenelg Shire Council's best tourism asset. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4564>more...

Wind Power's Gusty Forecast August 21, 2006 by Heather Green and Mark Scott in Business Week Online The U. S. is seeing a big rise in cleaner wind energy as companies work with communities on issues ranging from noise to bird migration < http://www.windaction.org/news/4563>more...

Air radar tilts with windmills: FIRE ISLAND: Electric generation could interfere with airport system. August 21, 2006 by Matt White in Anchorage Daily News A Chugach Electric idea to put giant, electricity-producing windmills on Fire Island is giving its neighbor, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, a case of bad vibes. Radar experts recently found that electromagnetic waves from the proposed 33-windmill project would be so strong they would warp the signal of the airport's main air traffic control radar. On top of that, the sheer size of the windmills, whose blade tips could reach 400 feet in the air, would also physically block the signal of another key radar already on Fire Island. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4559>more...

Towns counter wind farms = Stamford board passes moratorium; Bovina residents seek renewal of ban August 21, 2006 by Jake Palmateer in Oneonta Daily Star The town of Stamford is the latest area community to halt commercial wind-farm development. A moratorium passed by the Stamford Town Board last week is likely a prelude to a local law regulating the giant turbines, a councilwoman said Sunday. "The purpose of the moratorium is to give us time to look at which legislation is legal, " Councilwoman Katherine M. Engert said. "It came together within a month. We had a huge uprising here. " < http://www.windaction.org/news/4558>more...

Wildlife and Wind Energy Conference - Dec 2, 2006 August 20, 2006 by Donald S. Heintzelman in IWA Details and a registration form are available at the link below for the Wildlife and Wind Energy Conference to be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA USA. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4556>more...

Winds of Change - For struggling West Texans, giant turbines that turn wind into energy may be the way to save the ranch. But these land leases may also mean the end of beloved wide, open spaces. August 20, 2006 by Alyson Ward in Fort Worth Star Telegram The thing about West Texas that you can't ignore, that you can never forget, is the wind. < http://www.windaction.org/news/4547>more...

Latest Updates to Website

If you haven't visited the site over the last few days, you're missing out. See our guest article by Harvey of  Makara Guardian. Just go to any page on the site and look in the right-hand column, and you will find it under "Guest Article".  Also look for our poster. You will find the link in the left column on any page. And while you're at it, make note of the dates for our lecture series at the Skeggs Gallery. We look forward to your attendance at all or any of these events.

BRADFORD DELIGHTED AT WIND TURBINE DECISION

"The decision of New Zealand Windfarms Ltd to build almost 100 turbines in New Zealand for its newTararuas  windfarm is great news for New Zealand manufacturing," Sue Bradford, Government Spokesperson for Buy Kiwi Made, says..

"This commercial decision shows that New Zealand has both the design and manufacturing capability to build state of the art technology for the growing market of alternative energy sources.

"It debunks the myth put forward by right wing commentator Matthew Hooton this week that New Zealand manufacturing is "almost dead and will be dead in 20 years,"  Ms Bradford says.

New Zealand Windfarms' chief executive, Chris Freear said in a statement earlier today that Windflow Technology, which has a 40 percent stake in his company, will make the turbines in New Zealand.

He said the main advantage is that there will be no exposure to changes in the exchange rate, andwill enable the creationof an industry in New Zealand for parts and maintenance.  He also anticipated that the design, specifically for New Zealand conditions, will mean a lower unit cost for the project.

Sue Bradford has written to New Zealand Windfarms to congratulate them on their decision.


Declaration of interest. Sue Bradford is atrustee and beneficiaryof Green Futures, which holds 6, 033  shares ( or .089%  of the  6.7 million total shares) in Windflow Technology



Contact :
Sue Bradford, 04 470 6720, 027 243 4239
Gordon Campbell, Media Officer, 04 470 6719, 027 3417 266

LATEST WIND PROJECT UPDATE NZ EC.

Hi All

Geoff sent me these links from the NZ Electricity Commission regarding maintaining security and integrity of the electricity system.  One earlier report discussed the problems of the two big wind farms in the Manawatu and the effect  which wind changes have on the electricity supply. There are times here when wind generation can move from zero to full production in 15 minutes which is a problem for transmission of power and frequency of operation. The appendix on the pdf file lists various scenarios of wind power in different areas of NZ.
 
From the first link, it says: A key issue facing the electricity sector, in particular the Electricity Commission (Commission) and System Operator, is the accommodation of further wind generation while maintaining the security of the New Zealand power system and the integrity of the electricity market.

Early in 2005, the Commission established two projects to investigate issues related to wind generation. The purpose of the strategic Wind Generation Investigation Project (WGIP) was to consider and address power system implications of further wind generation over the next 5-10 years.

regards to all
Harvey
*******************
This from the Electricity commission website re:(Note the update section below)


Consultation documents

Consultation will occur at significant milestones during this project. Consultation to date is as follows:

Consultation

Scenarios for the wind generation investigation project(Closing date 9 February 2006) :
Scenario pdf

Commission evaluation of and response to Scenarios Consultation   pdf [176 KB] [176KB]
Evaluation

Wind generation investigation project  (Closing date 14 July 2005):
Investigation



Latest project update (June 2006)

The project team is currently undertaking a number of analyses to assess the potential impacts of the agreed scenarios on the electricity system and market. These tasks are broadly covered in section 4.2 of the project scope "what are the implications". This work is complex and expected to take slightly longer than was anticipated in the project scope. A further update will be provided with an amended timetable shortly.

Maybe the implications are all bad – wouldn't look good for Makara so probably be released after that decision – oh my god I'm getting too cynical. Of course I'm sure it is a very complex task and all is squeaky clean.

Wind power generation decreasing

But the RPS law has not been effective to increase wind power because electric power companies are negative about such power generation. "Output is unstable because it depends on wind, obstructing stable power supplies," said an executive at a power company.

Increases in the generation of wind power, introduced nationwide as an environment-friendly energy, are hitting a snag as enterprises are reluctant to do the business because electric power companies are negative to buy such power.

The government has fixed the target of wind power generation at 3 million kilowatts in 2010, but industry sources said the target is unlikely to be achieved.

The Global Wind Power Energy Council, headquartered in Belgium, said Japan's wind power generation topped the 1 million kW level at the end of fiscal 2005 to become the world's 10th largest at 1.08 million kW.

Windmills installed chiefly at coastal areas in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region and Kyushu where wind is strong total more than 1,000.

Although several hundred millions of yen are required to install a windmill, not only enterprises and local governments but also private investors have increasingly installed such mills because power generation efficiency has been upped with technological progress and wind power has attracted attention as no carbon dioxide has been emitted.

The forerunner is the nonprofit organization Hokkaido Green Fund of Sapporo which built the windmill called "Hamakaze (beach wind)-chan," with an output capacity of about 1,000 kW in the town of Hamatombetsu, Hokkaido, in 2001.

Its members set up a company in Tokyo called the Natural Energy Citizens' Fund in 2003, which has installed four mills in Hokkaido, Aomori and Akita prefectures. Five others are being built in four other prefectures, including Ibaraki and Chiba.

To promote the introduction of natural energy, the government also implemented the Renewable Portfolio Standards, or RPS, law, a new energy measure, in 2003, to oblige electric power companies to achieve the legally fixed target of natural energy generation.

But the RPS law has not been effective to increase wind power because electric power companies are negative about such power generation. "Output is unstable because it depends on wind, obstructing stable power supplies," said an executive at a power company.

As the obligatory target of natural energy generation as a whole has been fixed low at 1.35% of the total electric power supply, it has become possible for power companies to achieve the target with other natural energy, such as garbage power generation.

By fiscal 2005, Hokkaido and Tohoku electric power companies had suspended fresh purchases of electricity. Green Fund Secretary General Toru Suzuki said, "We actually wanted to expand the business in Hokkaido which is suited to wind power generation, but we have had to do the business in other areas."

Up to fiscal 2004, the scale of domestic wind power generation had increased more than 30% annually, but it was a 15% increase in fiscal 2005 over the year earlier.

Kazuhiko Takada, deputy secretary general of the National Council of Wind Power Generation in Cities, Towns and Villages in Hokkaido's Tomamae town where there are 42 windmills, said, "The windmills are largely contributing to regional promotion, such as increases in tax revenues and tourists. We want large increases in the volume electric power companies are obliged to buy to promote increases in wind power generation."

Web link: http://www.crisscross.com/jp/feature/1111

Forest & Bird queries wind farm consultation

WEDNESDAY, 09 AUGUST 2006


Manawatu Forest and Bird says the Palmerston North City Council is
running an unfair consultation process over the proposed wind farm at
Turitea.

Forest and Bird will make a submission against the proposal, but branch
chairman Brent Barrett questions the assumption the council will give it
fair consideration.

"Palmerston North city councillors will vote on acceptance or rejection
of their own idea, with a considerable amount of money changing hands if
they give their approval. We are deeply concerned about the integrity of
that process."

Mr Barrett said the branch believes wind farms belong on farms, not on
the Turitea Reserve.

He said the proposed 60-turbine wind farm, to be built on the reserve by
the Palmerston North City Council and Mighty River Power, will destroy
valuable forest habitat.

"Wind farms in paddocks are fine, but ripping into native forest lands
to build an industrial-scale wind farm is a different story. . . We
shouldn't be sacrificing conservation land on the altar of power-hungry
urban centres. There are many suitable alternative sites for wind farms.
. .

"Turitea's forest, ridgelines, wetlands and lakes comprise by far the
best example of native habitat in the area, in terms of scale, quality
and biodiversity."

The reserve is the last natural bush-clad ridge line visible from
Palmerston North, and the wind farm would dominate the landscape on the
south side of the city, he says.

The council is calling for submissions on changing the Turitea
Management Plan to allow wind turbines on the reserve.

The reserve includes miro, matai, kahikatea, kamahi, rata and rimu, and
a 2004 survey found 260 plant species and 28 bird species there,
including New Zealand falcon, bellbirds, tui, kereru, morepork, shag,
heron and kingfisher.

Forest and Bird has campaigned to establish a "mainland island" in the
reserve, and believes that this, if left intact, could support the
reintroduction of 14 locally extinct species, Mr Barrett says.

"Wind farm development would make a mainland island untenable."

The wind farm would need roads along ridgelines, which would require
substantial clearing of rejuvenating native forest, Mr Barrett says.

The council is looking at building an eco park in the reserve, and says
such a park would have three benefits for the city in the fields of
recreation, tourism and the environment.

But that won't mitigate the damage to the reserve, Forest and Bird
committee member Donald Kerr says.

The plan allows 60 percent of the reserve for the wind farm, and calls
for the bulldozing of big tracks, he says.

Forest and Bird was not opposed to the wind farm until its members saw
the scale of the project, he says.

"The scale is huge. We (imagined) a few wind turbines along existing
tracks. The map they have come out with shows every high spot and ridge
potentially allowing a wind turbine."

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/hlc/1,,102003~3759447a6003~,00.html

A Liberal Government Supports Country Victoria

Hi All

Jenny (Makara battlefield) passed this on to me.

Follow the link to the full Liberal Party (Aust) policy proposed to
assist and protect Victoria state's countryside.  The pdf file is
573kb so I have extracted and attached the relevant 2 pages as a 34kb
file.  No identificiation in this file so please use the original if
passing on.

THe policy suggests moratorium, no-go areas, local community input,
monitoring, neighbours consent etc etc.

A good start for a New Zealand (or worldwide )equivalant.

Harvey


###############

The Liberals today launched the first of the Party's 'Country Victoria' policies to get country Victoria back to business and ensure country people get the services and support they deserve.

Click here for full policy

Click here for Ted Baillieu's Press Release

Industrial Wind Alert! 2006-08-07

Hi All

Various articles here and a few related to bird strike.  The opinion piece (In the battle between ecology and energy, who has the real power? ) is interesting. THe document report from the UK Noise association entitled Noise - 'unwanted sound' – can ruin people's well-being and environment also has links to a report on wind farm noise (32 pages on the smaller edited version) and includes info on low frequency noise
effects.

Harvey



Controversial Burnham-On-Sea wind farm bid is rejected
August  8, 2006 in Burnham-on-sea.com

A controversial bid to build five wind turbines on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea was unanimously thrown out by district planners on Tuesday morning (August 8th).

Also filed under [ General| Impact on Landscape| Impact on People| Zoning/Planning| UK]

Chris Gabrieli announces his supports Cape wind farm
August  8, 2006 in Cape Cod Today

Two Democrats down, one to go - Tom Reilly only one left twisting in the wind

Also filed under [ General| Massachusetts]

Parrot-friendly wind farm plan may still fly
August  8, 2006 by Ewin Hannan in The Australian

THE Bald Hills wind farm proposal that Environment Minister Ian Campbell has agreed to reconsider will be identical - in size and location - to the project he has already scuttled. However, the company behind the contentious 52-turbine wind farm in Victoria's South Gippsland will come up with a survival strategy in a bid to allay Senator Campbell's concerns over the fate of the orange-bellied parrot.

Also filed under [ General| Impact on Wildlife| Impact on Birds| Australia / New Zealand]

Alliance forms a new Anti-Wind Farm lobbying arm - Advocates for Nantucket Sound, Inc. to be IRS-501-c-4 non-tax-deductable
August  8, 2006 by Dick Farley, Washington Correspondent in Cape Cod Today

The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a tax-exempt, nonprofit, charitable organization established in 2001 to block development of the Cape Wind offshore power generating project six to eleven miles off Cape Cod, has created a new lobbying arm.

Also filed under [ General| Massachusetts]

Alternative energy sells a good story, but is it just a fad?
August  8, 2006 by Tom Stevenson in Telegraph

Alternative energy has all the makings of a bubble, although it looks early days yet. The underlying story is easily understandable and touches on all our lives. Better still, it pulls several emotional levers at the same time. It plays on our fear that oil is running out and getting steadily more expensive; it offers an answer to our geopolitical anxieties (wouldn't life be simpler without those awkward Arabs and Russians); and it solves the pressing issue of what sort of a world we are going to leave our children.

Also filed under [ General| UK]

Areas of power grid congestion ID'd
August  8, 2006 by H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press in chron.com

WASHINGTON — Southern California and the urban centers from Northern Virginia to New York face the most critical power grid problems, but such remote areas as Montana and the Dakotas may need new transmission lines in the near future, an Energy Department report warns.

Also filed under [ General| USA| California| Montana| North Dakota| South Dakota| Virginia]

Mollohan opposes wind project - Industry targeting W.Va., he says
August  8, 2006 by Eric Eyre, Staff Writer in The Charleston Gazette

Rep. Alan Mollohan wants the state to call a timeout on proposed wind energy projects, including a Chicago developer's plans to build 124 wind turbines in Greenbrier County.

Also filed under [ General| West Virginia]

Search is on for six wind turbine sites
August  8, 2006 in Chard & Ilminster News

PLANS for wind turbines across the county blew a step closer last Wednesday when Somerset County Council approved the latest stage of its long-term energy strategy. The council agreed at an executive meeting to begin looking for a developer to build turbines on some of its 74 county farms.

Also filed under [ General| Zoning/Planning| UK]

Wind Power Report Shows Facts Instead of Myths
August  8, 2006 by ABS Energy Research Press Release

The most important findings of this report highlight studies that raise critical concerns challenging some of the claims made for wind power. Badly needed evidence is now available after three years of large scale operation of wind turbines in five countries..... These studies are the first real evidence showing how wind actually works, as opposed to what has been claimed, and come from some of the most authoritative voices on energy in the world......ABS Energy Research's report does not relegate wind power to the dustbin. But it does show how essential proper analysis is to establish what renewable energy can and cannot deliver and how it must be accommodated within a total electricity generation system. Objective analysis is essential. Nearly every one of the points described in the study has been labelled a "myth" by a lobby group.

Also filed under [ USA| Europe| Denmark| Germany]

Parrot excuse dead? Just resting, say locals
August  8, 2006 by Natasha Robinson in The Australian

THEY may think Ian Campbell backed the wrong horse - or bird - in choosing the endangered orange-bellied parrot to block a planned Victorian wind farm, but South Gippsland residents still have faith in the federal Environment Minister. If Senator Campbell used a dubious threat to the endangered parrot as a convenient reason to can the Bald Hills wind farm, that's something to be applauded by many in the rolling hills of Tarwin Lower.

Also filed under [ General| Australia / New Zealand]

Crows Nest residents unhappy with wind farm mediation
August  8, 2006 in ABC Southern Queensland

Crows Nest Shire residents say developers have not produced the information needed to reach a compromise over a controversial wind farm development.

Also filed under [ General| Australia / New Zealand]

Watauga to allow windmills - Commissioners adopt rules for single systems; process stricter for commercial use
August  8, 2006 by Monte Mitchell in Winston-Salem Journal

Watauga County became yesterday the first county in North Carolina to adopt an ordinance regulating wind-energy systems. The board of commissioners established rules by which the county planning staff may approve single windmills that generate electricity for on-site use. A more comprehensive process with review by the planning board would be required for commercial wind farms.

Also filed under [ General| Zoning/Planning| North Carolina]

Final meeting held on wind farm - Zoning Board of Appeals will vote Sept. 27
August  8, 2006 by John Sharp in Peoria Journal Star

It was the final informational meeting for the public before the wind farm is voted on by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 27.

Also filed under [ General| Illinois]

Wind farm raises ire
August  7, 2006 by Sarah Scopelianos in Warrnambool Standard

A concerned resident, who did not want to be named, said the project had split the community. She said her property could be affected by shadow flicker and a community reference group airing grievances was merely in place for company to tick off a box of its things to do.

Also filed under [ General| Australia / New Zealand]

Turbines visible from tourist road
August  7, 2006 in Warrnambool Standard

WIND turbines will be visible along the Great Ocean Road, but not from the Twelve Apostles lookout, according to the company planning the Newfield wind farm near Port Campbell.

Also filed under [ General| Australia / New Zealand]

Wind-farm noise 'harms health'- Report suggests illness link and says: Keep away from homes
August  7, 2006 by Simon Bristow in Yorkshire Post Today

A STUDY of noise generated by wind farms has found they can cause significant health problems, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Also filed under [ General| Impact on People| Noise| UK]

Wind turbines top task force agenda
August  7, 2006 by Jay Milller in Crain's Cleveland Business

Commissioner Tim Hagan said the task force's first order of business would be to investigate putting wind turbines in Lake Erie.

Also filed under [ General| Ohio]

Sheep farmer seals £10m pioneering windfarm contract
August  6, 2006 by Terry Murden in The Scotsman

A BORDERS sheep farmer has pulled off a £10m deal, due to be announced tomorrow, that will provide a model for financing future windfarm developments in Scotland.

Also filed under [ General| UK]

Blair promotes energy audits for households
August  6, 2006 by Patrick Wintour, political editor in Guardian Unlimited

British households may be given state-subsidised individual carbon audits on their homes to encourage them to cut their own contribution to global warming, Tony Blair will say today.

Also filed under [ General| Energy Policy| UK]

City wind power nearer reality
August  6, 2006 by Matthew LeBlanc in Columbia Daily Tribune

Wind power, however, will not come without cost - 50 percent more at current rates. Water and Light estimates it now pays about $40 per megawatt hour for traditionally generated power. With wind power, that cost rises to about $60 per megawatt hour.

Also filed under [ General| Missouri]

Dollar slump hits wind farms

WIND farm projects risk being abandoned as uneconomic amid a cocktail of negative factors led by the falling $Kiwi.

Any slowdown in the growth of wind farms would be a major blow to the government's attempts to encourage renewable power generation and would handicap moves to boost output to match growing demand.

Read more > The Independent News

Campaigning for Action against noise

The UK Noise Association

Press Release:  July 26th 2006
Within weeks of the Government's Energy Review (1) proposing that
planning controls be relaxed to speed up the introduction of wind
farms, a new report (2) reveals that badly-sited wind turbines can
cause real noise problems for local communities.
In compiling its report, the Noise Association carried out a
comprehensive review of the research done into wind farm noise. It
found that the stress and annoyance some people experience as a
result of noise from wind farms is made worse by the flicker effect
created by the rotating blades of the turbines. The report concluded
that this was the most likely reason why wind farm noise generates
many more complaints than equivalent noise levels from other sources.
The Noise Association research found that wind turbine noise can be a
particular problem in rural areas, where many of the wind farms are
sited, because of low background noise levels.
The report, however, does not come out against the building of wind
farms. It argues that 'sensible siting' of wind farms can overcome
most noise problems: "It's all about location, location, location."
John Stewart, the author of the report, said, "It would be a mistake
to see this as an anti-wind farm report. But there is a real danger
that, in the enthusiasm to embrace clean technology, legitimate
concerns about noise are being brushed aside."
The report recommends that:
as a general rule turbines should not be sited within a mile of where
people live
the official government guidelines for the siting of wind farms be
revised to take account of the more intrusive nature of the noise in
areas where the overall background noise is low
there is a clear and public recognition by the Wind Power Industry,
which has tended to dismiss noise as an issue, that wind farms can
cause real noise problems for some people. The report argues that
this could open the door to "constructive discussion"
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1) The Energy Review was published in the second week of July. One
of its proposals was to limit wind farm planning inquiries to
discussing local impacts rather that national issues.
(2) The report, Location, Location, Location, is enclosed. It is
published by the Noise Association and has been funded by the Ashden
Trust. The Noise Association is the research arm of the UK Noise
Association. John Stewart, the author of the report, chairs the UK
Noise Association.
For more information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or
07957385650
NB Hard copies FREE to journalists and members of the UK Noise
Association

http://www.ukna.org.uk/


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                        -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Industrial Wind Action Group

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