Wind Watch: Wind blows helicopter into mechanic, killing him

SANTA CLARITA — A man who was hit by a falling helicopter near Los Angeles has died.

Authorities say a gust of wind caused the chopper to spiral out of control today in a canyon area north of Los Angeles.

They say a blade hit an Edison power mechanic on the ground, killing him.

The helicopter pilot suffered minor injuries, but refused to go to a hospital.

The helicopter was being used in a project to string new transmission lines to bring in power from wind farms.

Wind Watch: Farmers worried about wind farms' impact on crop dusting

Bill Durdan has farmed northeast of Grand Ridge for 43 years and often relied on crop dusters.

Now, however, he has been told his proximity to wind turbine towers will prevent him from receiving that service.

The cost to him could be lost crops and lost revenue, he told the La Salle County Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday evening.

Wind Watch: American wind farm could result in a EU sanction

SOFIA — The American wind farm St. Nikola near Kaliakra, which was announced by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and American Ambassador in Bulgaria Nancy McEldowney on Tuesday, could lead to new sanctions from the European Commission, according to the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BCPB), Sega Daily reported.

“The wind farm will be constructed in an area, which was scandalously taken out of Natura 2000, and the European Commission started two infringement procedures against Bulgaria because of that,” members of BCPB announced.

European Commissioner Stavros Dimas sent a warning letter to Bulgaria that it did not adhere to the European birds directive.