The New York Times reports complaints of wind power corruption have brought an investigation to rural New York. Small towns near the Canadian border have experienced rifts due to wind farm least options resulting in property damage and family feuds. Town officials are rezoning and allowing permits for their own personal gain and accepting financial bribes. There are currently nine large scale wind farms operating in New York.
Wicked Local reports resident, Chuck Donaldson, is looking for support from the West Roxbury community to erect a wind turbine on top of Millennium Park. The retired engineer would conduct a feasibility study with a kite system to collect data. He has already met with some city officials and, if approved, his plan would involve local students in many different aspects of the project.
KKTV.com reports T. Boone Pickens is developing the world’s largest wind farm in Texas. He has discussed plans to provide 20% of the nation’s energy with wind power to both presidential candidates. Pickens believes they have been receptive to his proposal to install turbines from the Texas panhandle to North Dakota. In order to meet the goal of 20% renewable energy sources by 2020 with wind power, that means installing 75,000 wind turbines. Dragon Products is opening a facility in Lamar, Colorado to manufacture 300 turbines a year starting in January 2009.
MarketWatch reports New Jersey Senator and Assemblymen have announced their suport of an offshore wind farm for the state. The Senator is interested in developing New Jersey’s potential for wind energy as long as it is done responsibly with the coastal economy taken greatly into consideration. Fisherman’s Energy will develop a pilot wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City while representing commercial fisherman.
TMCnet.com reports Tetra Tech has been awarded two wind projects. PacifiCorp will provide the $28 million estimated for the cost of the projects that are expected to be operational by December 2008. Located in Wyoming, the wind farms will use a total of 39 General Electric turbines.
RiverTowns.net reports Xcel Energy is asking the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to pay for renewable energy investments, they just asked for an electricity increase of 14.2% in June of 2007. The company is now asking for another 7.9% increase, this would add $6.47 a month to the average household electric bill. These increase will pay for new renewable energy projects, including a 100MW wind project and new transmission lines.
Denverpost.com reports Philip Anschutz plans to create a $3 billion wind farm. The 2,000 MW project will carry electricity from Wyoming to California, Nevada, and Arizona using 900 miles of new transmission lines. This will be the first renewable energy project for the Anschutz Corp. After the proper federal permits are obtained, the project could take 2-4 years to construct.
Western Farm Press reports the Dry Lake Wind Project, the 1st wind project in Arizona, will generate 63 MW by the end of 2009. The electricity will be purchased by The Salt River Project for 20 years. The project will create enough electricity to power 15,000 homes.
Finanznachrichten reports Clipper Wind Power and BP Alternative Energy have joined to create one of the world’s largest wind farms. The Titan wind project will generate 5,050MW in South Dakota. This is an expansion of a previously announced project for the state. BP will acquire assets at an initial cost of $26.25 million.
Village Soup reports a study for a potential wind project is taking place for Ragged Mountain and Rockland, Maine. The local YMCA is also considering installing solar panels to help alleviate energy costs. Thes tate is approaching wind farm development with caution because of the state’s natural resources and treasured scenery.