Toxic blade time bomb
Updated: 2024-11-30 17:22:18
We have documented the threats of industrial wind turbines to both soil and water in their pre and post-construction phases, not to mention birds, bats, insects, and humans. But not enough has been said about the serious environmental threat of “blade shedding.” This is erosion that occurs primarily on the edge of turbine blades as they are exposed to the elements. And it is far from benign: “Microplastic shedding from turbine blades, known as Leading Edge Erosion, is a great . . .
This is the second article in a two-part series about the opposition to wind energy in Kneehill County, Alta Last spring, at a meeting of residents of Kneehill County opposed to a new wind project in their Alberta community, a woman stood up and introduced herself to the crowd. In a room filled with neighbours angry about the proposed Lone Pine wind farm, Trish Tetz said she was one of approximately 40 people who had signed contracts to build turbines . . .
Reindeer, or caribou as they’re known in North America, are impressive travellers. Herds made up of many thousands of animals can cover 5,000km each year in the far north of Europe, Siberia and Canada. This is one of the longest land migrations on Earth – but an ongoing transformation of the Arctic landscape threatens to break it up. Roads, railways, mines, dams and tourist activities, such as snowmobile and husky trails, have disrupted the well-worn routes that reindeer follow each . . .
A storm-damaged wind turbine in Cedar County, Iowa, was demolished with explosives Tuesday, leaving behind widespread debris that has sparked frustration and concerns from a local farmer. Sally Freeman, whose family owns the land where the turbine stood, has accused the wind turbine company responsible, Acciona, of mismanaging the process and leaving her land covered with potentially hazardous waste. The turbine, a concrete structure rendered inoperable after a lightning strike months ago, was brought down in a controlled explosion early . . .
A tagged golden eagle has been killed by a wind turbine blade, according to an investigation. The body of the bird of prey, called Sparky, was discovered metres from a turbine at a wind farm in Galloway earlier this year. An investigation into the animal’s death has confirmed the bird’s fatal injuries were “typical of those associated with a wind turbine strike”, according to the Veterinary Investigation Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Dumfries. I walked through ‘wind farm . . .
Concerned residents of Pittsburg County plan to attend the Pittsburg County Commissioners meeting Monday to discuss the installation of wind farms. There is group of county residents on Facebook called No Wind Turbines Pittsburg County in opposition of the project that began between Red Earth Energy and Pittsburg County Commissioners in 2021. They are planning to meet with commissioners at their meeting Monday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m. at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. On their Facebook Event they have posted . . .
A grassroots group, “No To Peoria County Windmills”, is trying to put a stop to four proposed windmill projects. Farmer Dan Hines tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan”, the first project, in NW Peoria County, has received DOD/FAA approval for up to 124 windmills that are almost 700 feet tall. “630 (feet) is the St. Louis Arch, so we’d be almost 60 feet taller. And, the props are almost 220 feet, so it’s gonna span about 400 feet,” Hines says. According . . .
A wind farm in the Village of Halkirk region was stood down Nov. 8 after a nacelle and rotor fell from one of the towers. Tricia Johnston, director, communications and community engagement for Capital Power confirmed the facility was stood down that day after the incident. The incident occurred at the Halkirk 2 facility owned and operated by Capital Power. “There was an incident at the Halkirk 2 Wind facility,” stated a Nov. 8 email from Johnston. “At approximately 7:22 . . .
The soon-to-be-operational Halkirk 2 wind farm was shut down on Friday after a turbine broke. A Capital Power representative said a nacelle and rotor fell from one of the turbines at the Paintearth County facility at around 7:20 a.m. According to the Capital Power website, the turbines at the Halkirk 2 facility are the largest the company has installed to date – with blades 74 metres long. There were no injuries and no damage to public property. An area resident . . .