Wind developers hit headwinds

I’ve posted before about wind developers battling over siting issues and desalination projects struggling with opposition from environmentalists.  Today we have two more stories about two more wind projects confronting litigation filed by opponents who claim the projects’ side effects need to be taken into consideration.

One involves a 124-turbine project and a bat biologist who argues the project violates the Endangered Species Act.

The other involves a Canadian farmer seeking court review of Ontario’s Green Energy Act.  He reportedly claims the five turbines to be built near his home under the Act would cause noise levels and low-frequency sound sufficient to produce health problems to his family.  His case is said to be backed by the University of Western Ontario’s dean of medicine who studied negative health effects of 100 Ontario residents who live near wind turbines.

Credible and substantive salesmanship is usually necessary to sell even the best projects to their host communities.

Resort developer persuades Massachusetts Land Court to halt wind developement project

Texas resort developer Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. persuaded the Massachusetts Land Court to issue a temporary injunction against Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corp.‘s use of part of a road crossing its private property, prompting the wind developer to suspend its $43 million wind project on Brodie Mountain.  Abutter Silverleaf claimed completion of the wind project would prevent it from using its property for its intended purpose — a high priced resort.  This is part of an ongoing dispute between the Massachusetts wind developer and the Texas resort developer at this Massachusetts location.

Stories here and here.

More about Massachusetts Land Court.