A smattering of wind stories

The debate about wind has heated up in many communities in New York state. In this story from Buffalo's WRGZ, the possible offshore wind power project in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie is mentioned. The New York Power Authority is behind that proposal.

But the story also mentions on China's near-monopoly of rare-earth elements and their necessity in wind turbines and the effectiveness of wind as a power source.

After legal disputes for a year, the towns of Prattsburgh and Italy will sit down with representatives of Pattern Energy, parent company of Ecogen, according to the Steuben Courier.

Ecogen wants to put up 16 turbines in Prattsburgh and 18 in Italy. Pattern Energy is also behind the proposed 82-turbine Galloo Island Wind Farm in Jefferson County.

The Illinois Power Authority is trying to buy wind power to fulfill its renewable power ratio required by state law. But the bidding process leaves much to be desired, according to wind power developers in the New York Times story.