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Which way the wind blows ... Municipalities weigh locations for turbines
The winds that attract energy companies such as Gamesa to the Alleghenies also blow over pristine lands, causing a quiet controversy before local governments.
Stan Kotala, a longtime member of the Juniata Valley Audubon Society, is raising concerns with local officials about possible construction of wind farms, with 400-foot- high structures, lights and constant noise, along the Blair County’s mountain ridges.
July 30, 2006
by Kay Stephens
in Altoona Mirror
Gamesa Energy, a Spanish company, opened a 200,000-square-foot wind turbine manufacturing facility this summer in the Cambria County Industrial Park in Ebensburg.
It also recently began construction of a wind farm to produce electricity on the Blair-Cambria county line in southern Blair.
But Kotala said that is just a start.
Blair County has about 50 miles of ridge, and he thinks that Gamesa intends to construct wind farms throughout — a situation in his mind that could destroy the beauty of the area and make life unpleasant for residents.
Gamesa is aware of Kotala’s views, said Brian Lammers, Gamesa director... [continue via Web link]
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