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September 29, 2006 • New Zealand, News, Press Releases

Mahinerangi Windfarm Application Modified

TrustPower Modifies Mahinerangi Windfarm Application

TrustPower has announced changes to its Mahinerangi wind farm project, aimed at speeding up the construction of initial stages, and allaying concerns about potential environmental impact.

The proposal is for 300MW of wind generation to be built near Lake Mahinerangi, which feed's TrustPower's existing 84MW Waipori hydro generation scheme.

TrustPower's intention is to build the wind farm in stages, most likely of 100MW each, to keep pace with the growing demand for electricity in the Otago region. By connecting directly into existing circuits supplying Dunedin city, the wind farm will improve security of supply for Dunedin and the surrounding area, and free up electricity currently imported from Roxburgh to meet rapidly growing demand in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes areas, as well as South Otago.

TrustPower had originally applied to the Dunedin City, Clutha District and Otago Regional Councils for Resource Consents to build the proposed 300MW wind farm on a mix of private and Dunedin City Council owned land. After listening to concerns about environmental impact in relation to tussock and water supplies involving the land owned by Dunedin City, TrustPower has now decided to apply only for consents related to developing the wind farm on private land, for which it already has signed landowner agreements.

TrustPower Chief Executive Keith Tempest says TrustPower still wishes to develop the full 300MW wind-farm, but has taken a pragmatic decision to delay its resource consent application for the area involving the Dunedin City Council land until the first two stages have been competed.

"This will give Dunedin City Council and the public an opportunity to see for themselves the impact of building and operating a wind farm, and we believe this will allay many of the concerns expressed over recent months. At the same time, removing key areas of contention from the proposal at this time will we believe simplify the resource consent process for the initial stages, allowing us to develop the wind farm in tandem with increasing electricity demand."

As a result of the changes, TrustPower will withdraw its Resource Consent application to the Dunedin City Council, and submit revised Resource Consent applications for a 200MW wind farm to the Clutha District and Otago Regional Councils. The revised applications, along with assessments of environmental effect, are expected to be lodged in approximately six weeks.

ENDS

scoop.co.nz

WIND FARM STUDY ASKS THE PEOPLE

New ZealandNews
27 Sep 2006

Wind farm study asks the people

Retired engineer Ken Mosley has decided to conduct a survey on the effects of wind farms. The views of people living near the Te Apiti wind farm are being sought for a survey on how noise and vibration generated by the wind farm affects them. The survey is being conducted by retired Silverstream engineer Ken Mosley. "I am ... Complete story »

NZ FALCON SURVEY: IMPORTANT!

 Raptor Association of NZ is conducting a survey of the NZ falcon & has asked that sightings be reported - online at www.ranz.org.nz   or forms can be ordered from enquiries@ranz.org.nz  

IMPORTANT: DCC PUBLIC MEETINGS RE RURAL/LANDSCAPE PLAN CHANGE (STICKY)

DCC PUBLIC MEETINGS RE RURAL/LANDSCAPE PLAN CHANGE


Please attend a DCC meeting at a location near you!!!

The Council is preparing changes to the Rural and Landscape sections of
the District Plan.  This includes looking at appropriate types of
activities e.g. wind farms, within defined Landscape Management Areas
(LMA's).  If they decide a wind farm is a complying activity in any
area it will be very easy for ANY power generating company to gain
permission to erect a wind farm within the DCC boundaries!!!

Interestingly Boffa Miskell have been employed to do the LMA review for
the DCC.  This is the same consulting company TrustPower used to
prepare the Visual and landscape Effects Assessment for the proposed



Mahinerangi wind farm, which concluded, in part, that 'The proposed
wind farm will not adversely affect the rural landscape character of
the area … The wind farm will not degrade the visual and scenic values
of the Mahinerangi landscape. In fact, the wind farm is likely to
become a feature and focal point in the landscape. While the turbines
will be visible and from some locations highly visible, given the
relatively remote location of the wind farm … the adverse effects on
balance and overall will be no more then minor'

It is crucial we attend these meetings where the DCC are consulting with
the public.

Monday         2 October       7pm    Eastern RFG Clubrooms
 Waikouaiti

Tuesday         3 October      7pm    Waitati Hall
           Waitati

Wednesday    4 October         7pm    Chalmers Lounge
     Port Chalmers

Thursday       5 October       7pm    Macandrew Bay Hall
  Macandrew Bay

Monday         9 October       7pm   Strath Taieri Community Centre
Middlemarch

Tuesday       10 October       7pm   Outram Hall
         Outram

Wednesday     11 October       7pm   Brighton RFC Clubrooms
Brighton

Thursday      12 October       7pm   Coronation Hall
       Mosgiel


The DCC is expecting to notify the plan changes by March 2007.   This
will be the public's opportunity to put in submissions if we are
unhappy with any aspects of it.

News Updates

Ramblers win a battle in the UK (2nd article) Dutch getting upset and sending windmills offshore Birds and bats get some attention. Also a NZ article about the Turitea reserve in the Manawatu.

regards Harvey

Subject: Industrial Wind Alert! 2006-09-18 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

News and Information from Industrial Wind Action Group www.windaction.org facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts

Issue: 2006-09-18

News Articles

Life not a breeze for wind farms - But falling production costs fuel optimism at Utah's Wasatch Wind September 17, 2006 by Jeremy Twitchell in Deseret Morning News SPANISH FORK — An embattled wind farm development set to begin construction next year in Spanish Fork may serve as a microcosm for the future of wind energy in Utah and across the nation. The farm, a project of Utah-based Wasatch Wind, will be the state's first commercial wind farm. It already has been delayed after citizens in Spanish Fork requested that it be moved farther from homes, to a site at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon. Finding investors was difficult, and the looming expiration date on a state tax credit, on which the project depends, promises an arduous battle still ahead as supporters work to get the credit restored. Like the wind power industry as a whole, the Wasatch Wind project has weathered the early storm and is poised to move forward but remains shrouded in lingering questions more... Filed under | Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Energy Policy| Utah| General|

Ramblers demand an end to spread of wind farms September 17, 2006 by Rob Sharp in The Observer The Ramblers' Association is set to announce its opposition to the construction of onshore wind farms across the country. The move is a major blow for the government, which is struggling to maintain its pledge to increase the amount of electricity generated by renewable energy sources. The decision to try to block large wind farms in Britain follows the association's role in persuading the Scottish Executive to stop construction of a group of turbines in Perthshire on the grounds that the development would damage the environment. more... Filed under | Energy Policy| General| UK| Zoning/Planning

U. S. Electric Grid Is Reaching the End Game September 16, 2006 by Marsha Freeman in Executive Intelligence Review This Summer, three decades of underinvestment and looting of the U. S. electrical industry grid system came home to roost. A week-long blackout in New York City, calls for "voluntary" conservation, the shutting off of power to large industrial enterprises, and lowering of voltages across the nation, were all evidence of the wreckage that has been made of this most critical infrastructure. more... Filed under | Energy Policy| USA| General| Zoning/Planning

Complaints prompt Dutch to start moving windmills out of sight September 16, 2006 by Associated Press in Daily Herald-Tribune AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - For centuries, Dutch windmills have pumped water out of the low-lying country, and old-fashioned wooden mills are as closely linked with the Netherlands' international image as its dikes and bikes. But in the face of a large and growing lobby against the windmill's modern electricity-generating counterpart - the wind turbine - the country has started moving them offshore and out of sight....... In the Netherlands, which hopes to generate nine per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, the need to move offshore is growing more urgent due to the increasing number of wind turbine critics. They say the towering mechanical structures are blighting landscapes. more... Filed under | Europe| General| Impact on Landscape| Zoning/Planning

Wind surveys to go to real estate owners September 15, 2006 by Nancy Lindsey in The Enterprise The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Monday to enact a temporary ordinance prohibiting the construction of structures more than 100 feet tall, with a six-month "sunset clause. " According to the motion made by Peters Creek District Supervisor David Young, the board will make a decision at the end of the six months on whether to adopt a permanent ordinance banning "tall structures, " based on the results of a public opinion survey to be mailed to owners of real estate in Patrick County. The survey, which will be mailed by the county treasurer's office along with real estate tax tickets, asks recipients if they support the proposed policy: "No structure shall be built in Patrick County more than 100 feet high, except a structure built solely for telecommunications purposes and except a structure built as a steeple or tower for a place of religious worship. " more... Filed under | Topics| Virginia| Zoning/Planning

Wind farms a threat to tourism September 15, 2006 in Blyth & Wansbeck Today A TOURIST board has come out strongly against wind farm developments which could impact on Northumberland as a top holiday destination. Northumberland Tourism has called for an independent study in the wake of a rush of renewable energy applications across the county. There are currently eight live applications with another 17 in the pipeline – totalling nearly 300 turbines. more... Filed under | General| Impact on Economy| UK| Tourism

Cape compact shelves position September 15, 2006 by David Schoetz in Cape Cod Times BARNSTABLE - Wary of giving the slightest appearance of a Cape Wind endorsement, the Cape Light Compact governing board this week tabled a resolution supporting renewable energy. The governing board, made up of appointees from all 21 towns on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, has resisted taking a formal position on the offshore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound despite lobbying efforts by the project's supporters - including Cape Wind developer Jim Gordon - and opponents. more.. Filed under | Massachusetts| General| Zoning/Planning

Wind-farm noise 'harms health'- Report suggests illness link and says: Keep away from homes. September 15, 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. Editor's Note: This article was published on August 7, 2006 more... Filed under | Noise| Impact on People| General| UK| Zoning/Planning

Should state take over local wind farm decision? County says 'no,' company says 'yes' September 14, 2006 by Mike Johnston in Daily Record The major sticking point surrounding Horizon Wind Energy's planned wind farm northwest of Ellensburg comes to this: should state government override Kittitas County's rejection of the Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project and consider approving it? The wind farm developer and project supporters say yes; Kittitas County officials and opponents of the site 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg say no. more... Filed under | Washington| General| Zoning/Planning

Ngahere Park votes to oppose wind farm September 14, 2006 by Helen Harvey in Manawatu Standard Residents in the Ngahere Park area will consider legal action if the proposed Turitea wind farm goes ahead, a submissions hearing was told last night. Paul Stichbury said he was speaking for other residents who were so angry they couldn't attend the meeting. "If this goes ahead, residents want to take legal action .... if they stumped up $5000 each that would be about $500, 000. " He did not know if the action would be successful, but it would be embarrassing for the city council, he said. more... Filed under | Australia / New Zealand| General| Zoning/Planning

Trump on boardwalk September 14, 2006 by Randi R. Marshall, Staff Writer in Newsday Trump has partnered with Bethpage caterer Steve Carl to create Trump on the Ocean, a $40-million upscale catering hall and restaurant on Jones Beach's boardwalk. They will announce the deal this afternoon...... The ballrooms and lobby will feature Atlantic Ocean views - and Trump said he wants them unobstructed, strongly objecting to the proposal for a 40-turbine wind farm three and a half miles off the beach's coast. "I think it's terrible, " Trump said, adding that he thought solar and wave energy were better alternatives. "If they want to destroy Jones Beach and the entire Long Island shore, then I think they should build a wind farm. " more... Filed under | New York| General| Impact on Economy| Tourism|Zoning/Planning

Sierra Club answers review request - Response asks board to leave permit deal intact September 13, 2006 by Chris Wetterich, Staff Writer in Peoria Journal Star The Sierra Club on Tuesday asked the U. S. Environmental Appeals Board to leave intact City Water, Light and Power's construction permit for its new coal-fired generator, which includes the purchase of wind power and emissions reductions the environmental group negotiated. Its filing is in response to Springfield developer David Maulding's request last week that the appeals board review the permit and strip it of the Sierra Club-negotiated requirements. more... Filed under | Energy Policy| Illinois| General| Zoning/Planning

Opinions

Battles in our tourism playground September 15, 2006 in Times & Star
Protesters share our concern that the case for wind power is unproven - and that alone should stop the march of turbines across Cumbria - but the overriding issue, which has caused objectors to write in from all over the country, is that these windmills will be an eyesore in a lovely spot. Allerdale council must block this plan, just as it has already sensibly halted a test mast proposal at Tallentire Hill. There is development, and there is development. We can take new building if it adds to our tourism strategy, but we mustn't take it if it threatens to drive customers away. more... Filed under | General| Impact on Economy| UK| Tourism

Washington View: Birds, bats, taxpayers pay for wind power September 12, 2006 in The Courier Mail While the Audubon Society supports wind power, the group understandingly is lobbying state and local governments to require regional environmental impact studies before permitting proposed wind energy projects. In addition, Audubon wants each state to do a statewide survey to identify potential wind farm sites and overlay those sites with migratory bird pathways and bird and bat habitats. more... Filed under | Impact on Birds| Impact on Bats| Impact on Wildlife| Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Washington| General

Documents

Lempster Wind Project: USFWS Letter to Community Energy July 28, 2006 by Vernon B. Lang, Assistant Supervisor, New England Field Office Starting with our first interagency meeting on April 8, 2005, we have generally discussed three broad categories of activities that pose a potential concern for fish and wildlife resources. These include the potential for bird and bat collisions with turbines, habitat fragmentation effects on wildlife and impacts to waters/wetlands. At... more Filed under | Impact on Birds| Impact on Bats| Impact on Wildlife| Erosion| New Hampshire| General

Economic Factors for Wind Projects - With special refererence to Highland New Wind Development February 19, 2005 by John R. Sweet This page [author's website] is dedicated to economic information that applies to wind-power projects anywhere in the United States and specifically applies to the Highland New Wind Development project proposed for the northwestern corner of Highland County, VA. Let me say right up front that I am not an economist... more Filed under | Tax Breaks & Subsidies| USA| Virginia| General| Impact on Economy

Integrating wind power in the European power systems May 1, 2004 by Union for the co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity This position paper examines the profile of wind power, its impact on the network, security of supply and the quality of the energy delivered. It further deals with the reasons to establish certain technical requirements for the connection of wind power generation to the network. Editor's Note: This is a... more Filed under | Technology| Energy Policy| Europe| General

Hi Society Presentations

Hi Society: a presentation of Dunedin activist groups: Evison Lounge,
Clubs and Socs (University), Wed, Sept 20th.

 Urban Eco Community,
 Students for Environmental Action,
Save the Children,
Oxfam,
Campus Greens,
International Socialists,
Upland Landscape Protection,
UniQ,
Amnesty International,
Black Star Books,
Students for a free Tibet,
Save Animals From Exploitation,
Harbour Cycle network,
sustainable campus initiatives,
Save Happy Valley
the Autonomous workers Union.

7pm start:
Fliss Butcher - speaking on Women in Politics
Meteria Turei - speaking on Maori Activism

Interlude
Dave Henley performing apathy
Richard Reeve reading poems

3-5 minute presentations from all groups involved....

Screening of "Le monde est foutu" Kim and Josies mothra.
Kai to be provided by Food not Bombs....

Hi Society, floating turbines, industrial devastation, windaction

Dear all,

pardon yesterday's accidental profusion of messages! A minor problem
with the account.

Collected is information concerning Hi Society, a gathering of active
politically-minded local organisations (tonight! See below), two links
on floatable wind energy (including a 20 MW oil-rig-sized shiftable
turbine), and Harvey Jones' latest release ( windaction.org).

Harvey has sent me some compelling images of the devastation to be
expected, should TP and Meridian be successful in the
Lammerlaw-Lammermoors. They come from Tararua stage III. I won't send
these images unless requested, having heard that the download can be
very slow on some computers.

Thanks to the Butchers for organising the lecture series. As those who
braved the rain will attest, Peter Johnson's lecture last night was
excellent.

Over and out for the day/week,

R


Floating Ocean Windmills Designed to Generate More Power - Yahoo! News



And More Here

Minister invited to visit wind farm site

Mr Maharey said the idea of the eco park is exciting and would be rich in tourism potential, but the jury was still out on whether a wind farm and an eco park could co exist.

September 18, 2006 by Helen Harvey in Manawatu Standard

Palmerston North MP Steve Maharey has invited Conservation Minister Chris Carter to visit the Turitea Reserve to inspect the site of the proposed wind farm.

Mr Carter will have a look around and maybe give Palmerston North City Council some advice, Mr Maharey said.

The council, in partnership with Mighty River Power, is proposing to build a 60 turbine wind farm on the reserve and plans to use the revenue earned from the project to create an eco park.

Mr Maharey said the idea of the eco park is exciting and would be rich in tourism potential, but the jury was still out on whether a wind farm and an eco park could co exist.

``(but) It looks like we can't have one without the other,'' Mr Maharey said.

He said people have asked him whether there should be some sort of regulation of wind farms for issues such as how far they should be from houses, vibration and noise.

``I have asked (Energy Minister) David Parker and (Environment Minister) David Benson-Pope to consider this. I am waiting to hear back from them.'' It is important to have alternate forms of renewable energy but Mr Maharey said he is hearing what people are saying about how many are planned.

``It will change the landscape for a long time.'' Mr Parker, who was in the city for the opening of the Te Rere Hau wind farm, said he knows there are concerns locally about the number of wind farms and that no more than the fair share of the burden of environmental effect is borne by one community.

``Those are relevant concerns.'' Mr Parker said he is from Otago which has ``accommodated an enormous amount'' of the country's power production through the large hydro dams.

``So I agree the issue is a fair balance between regions,'' Mr Parker said.

However he doesn't agree with residents who have asked him for a moratorium on wind farms or that there should be guidelines put on wind farms. ``Considerations such as what are appropriate distances from housing, what are the noise effects, what are the landscape effects are matters that must be considered under the Resource Management Act when people make applications to put in wind farms anyway.''

Some people have suggested that turbines should not be within 2km of a house, but that makes an assumption that is too close, he said.

``I'm not aware of there being concerns of health effects from being within 2 km look at the one (turbine) in Brooklyn it's about 100 yards from houses

source: http://www.windaction.org/articles/5173

Otago Upland Wetlands: A talk by Peter Johnson

Celebrated wildflower and wetland expert Dr Peter Johnson will give a public talk on Tuesday, September 19, to cap the Upland Landscape Protection Society's Public Lecture Series, Life in the Outback. The event, which is free and open to all members of the public, will be held in the Municipal Chambers' Skeggs Gallery, and commence at 7 pm.

Dr Johnson is well-known for a number of botannical books, including Wetland Plants of New Zealand, which he edited with Pat Brooke, and Wildflowers of Central Otago. His Pick of the Bunch: New Zealand Wildflowers won the Natural Heritage section of the 1998 Montana Book Awards. Dr Johnson has also been a prolific publisher of refereed scientific articles, and has appeared on the board of numerous organisations involved with different facets of conservation.

Johnson, whose expertise incorporates vegetation types from across New Zealand, is a longstanding advocate of wetland preservation, well-equipped to speak of botannical features in the Otago Upland Wetlands which lend the area its idiosyncrasy. He has worked for Landcare Research for over thirty years, and is internationally acknowledged as a leading authority in his field.

Scheduled Lecture Cancelled

Both the meeting and the ULP lecture by farmers scheduled for Tues 12
Sept in the Skeggs Gallery HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.

The next ULP meeting will be at 5.15pm, Tues 19 Sept, at the Skeggs
Gallery. This will be followed at 7 pm by Dr Peter Johnson's lecture on
Wetlands.

Please inform anyone who may not get this message and was likely to
attend either event.

MAKING THE CONNECTION

FLISS BUTCHER - MAKING THE CONNECTION: SUSTAINABILITY AND THE OTAGO UPLANDS


(7pm, Wednesday 6th Sept, Skeggs Gallery, free.)

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed with all the different
environmental battles currently facing Otago, come along and get a
Sustainability Injection!

Social Scientist Fliss Butcher will outline a strong definition of
sustainability and how it relates to the proposed "industrial sprawl"
of the Otago Uplands.

This is sure to be an entertaining and thought-provoking talk. All
members of the public are warmly invited to attend