Massachusetts has been home to debates about off-shore wind power for years, courtsey of the Cape Wind project. Now it's also seeing NIMBY drama unfold ON shore, according to a piece this morning in the Boston Globe. Governor Deval Patrick wants to the state to draw heavily from wind power by 2020, and is advocating for legislation that would streamline the permitting process. But opponents are worried that developers will be able to use the bill as a blunt instrument to install unpopular projects.
Meanwhile in New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie has signed a bill that creates energy credits for wind projects. Power companies are required to buy energy credits, which helps finance renewable projects. The Philadelphia Enquirer's Chelsea Conaboy reports that energy subscribers will pick up the tab, but it's unknown what it'll come to in the end. The bill also creates $100 million dollars worth of tax credits for turbine makers.
In Ontario, an acoustics firm that typically does work for concert halls has been selected to do an acoustic study of wind turbines (via CTV). Richard Blackwell writes that currently there's no standard for measuring turbine noise, so this study could inform protocol internationally.
And finally Steve Orr at the Democrat and Chronicle is reporting that Irondequoit is the latest town along the Lake Ontario shoreline to debate off-shore wind farms. Greece and Webster have already passed resolutions officially opposing the notion; Irondequoit could discuss the issue (but not specific legislation) at its next town board meeting on September 21.
