Italy faces wind opposition
Anti-wind groups are pushing for a moratorium on new wind-power projects, claiming the wind turbines negatively affect the landscape and surrounding wildlife. They also say developers take advantage of residents in small towns with bad deals, and they question the reliability of a power source that is highly variable.
"Anti-wind has been more successful here," said Fabrizio Fabbri, head of the Technical Secretariat for the Italian Ministry of Environment.
While the industry needs better rules and regulations, Fabbri acknowledged, a full-fledged, permanent moratorium would not accomplish anything, and, in addition, it could hinder the European wind industry.
Residents are hesitant to allow wind projects anywhere near historical sites or natural reserves and are greatly limiting the areas where turbines could be placed.
Under the new EU policy, Italy will have to come up with a plan, said Mechtild Rothe, vice president of the European Parliament. A plan to meet the bloc's emission-reduction targets will be mandatory.
Related News
Are Net-Zero Energy Buildings Really Coming Soon to Mass?
BOSTON - Massachusetts will soon see significant updates to the energy codes that govern the construction and alteration of buildings throughout the Commonwealth.
As required by the 2021 climate bill, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has recently finalized regulations updating the current Stretch Energy Code, previously promulgated by the state's Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), and establishing a new Specialized Code geared toward achieving net-zero building energy performance.
The final code has been submitted to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy for review as required under state law.
Under the new regulations, each municipality must apply one…
