News
Category:
Pennsylvania
Policy makers discuss green energy; Two wind farms planned for Huntingdon County
June 12, 2010 in WJAC TV 6
June 12, 2010 in WJAC TV 6
State legislators questioned representatives of Gamesa USA and Iberdrola Renewables about the advantages and drawbacks of turbines in Pennsylvania. ...Rep. Mike Fleck supports renewable energy growth but is unsure about the proposed turbine projects. "I love that it's clean energy. I don't know that we need to blow off the tops of our mountains to have it," said Fleck.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
The Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm project’s permitting process is undergoing another round of public scrutiny as Gamesa Energy USA is seeking an OK from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a wetlands mitigation plan. Windber Area Authority members weighed in on their contribution following a corps’ request for public comment on the permit application, which is due Wednesday.
Also filed under [
General]
Raising wind turbine cut-in speeds lowers bat fatalities, finds study
June 7, 2010 by Tamar Wilner in Windpower Monthly,
June 7, 2010 by Tamar Wilner in Windpower Monthly,
In the study, scientists raised cut-in speeds on 12 out of 23 turbines at Iberdrola's 34.5MW Casselman Wind Project in Pennsylvania. ...Ed Arnett of BWEC and Bat Conservation International said that if the curtailment were applied to the entire farm, it would result in a 0.3% loss in annual output using the 5 m/s cut-in speed.
Also filed under [
Impact on Bats]
Couple settle lawsuit on wind turbine noise
June 4, 2010 by Kay Stephens and David Hurst in Altoona Mirror
June 4, 2010 by Kay Stephens and David Hurst in Altoona Mirror
The lawsuit between a Blair County couple and a company that operates Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm has been settled. ...Everyone involved in the case has agreed to the confidentiality clause, Tupi said.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Schuylkill judge denies appeal on windmill project
May 30, 2010 by Peter E. Bortner in Standard Speaker
May 30, 2010 by Peter E. Bortner in Standard Speaker
Rampolla knew that wind turbines are not permitted in the zoning district and should have known Squires had no authority to issue the permit, Miller wrote.
"To now argue that (Broad Mountain) acted in good faith is not supported by the record. (It) relied upon at best a mistakenly issued zoning permit and then proceeded to expend resources on a multi-million dollar project with no notice to the adjoining landowners in the Fountain Springs valley.
Also filed under [
General]
Judge OKs Butler Township's revocation of windmill permit
May 29, 2010 by Peter E. Bortner in Republican Herald
May 29, 2010 by Peter E. Bortner in Republican Herald
A Schuylkill County judge on Friday rejected a Gilberton company's appeal of the Butler Township Zoning Hearing Board's rejection of its plan to build 27 windmills along the top of Ashland Mountain.
In a 17-page opinion, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled Broad Mountain Development Co. LLC did not show the board erred or abused its discretion in revoking its zoning permit for the wind turbines on 1,110 acres.
Also filed under [
General]
Two men working on wind turbines in Adams Township become the target of a sniper earlier this month, now another incident Friday causes panic. Everpower workers called police on Friday to report two men with guns.
Also filed under [
Safety]
Perkasie's wind turbine, placed proudly in Lenape Park in 2006, has become more of an eyesore than a landmark in recent years, according to Perkasie Borough Councilman Matt Aigeldinger.
"It doesn't move even on the windiest of days," Councilman Matthew Aigeldinger said at a recent council meeting. "It's a bit of a joke."
Also filed under [
General]
Mahanoy Twp. ordinances OK'd for wind, solar farm placement
May 22, 2010 by Gerry Ulicny in Republican Herald
May 22, 2010 by Gerry Ulicny in Republican Herald
The Mahanoy Township supervisors on Thursday approved two ordinances regarding the creation of wind and solar farms within the township.
The ordinances state that plans for wind turbines or solar panels must be reviewed by the township planning commission before they can be permitted in the township.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Early Monday, more than 40 representatives of Iron Workers Local 420, Reading, will picket one of the entrances to the Locust Ridge commercial wind farm in northern Schuylkill County. ...Martin said he believes Gamesa is bringing in seven workers from Wisconsin. He is not sure why local workers were not hired.
Also filed under [
General]
Solicitor to review, rework windmill ordinance in Hegins
May 9, 2010 by Rebecca Zemencik in Republican Herald
May 9, 2010 by Rebecca Zemencik in Republican Herald
No action was taken on a proposed windmill ordinance at the monthly meeting of Hegins Township Supervisors last week.
Instead, township solicitor David Rattigan, who wrote and advertised a preliminary ordinance, requested more time to review an ordinance passed by a township in Blair County, in western Pennsylvania.
Also filed under [
General]
Department of Environmental Protection officials have signed off on Gamesa's proposed Sandy Ridge wind farm project.
A DEP spokesman confirmed the approval of the national pollution discharge elimination system permit, which says outlined construction plans will not pose any threat to the environment.
Also filed under [
General]
"It's a wonderful project - well done, well-thought-out," Young continued. "But it puts pressure on a resource that we do not have enough of in Lancaster County."
The commission unanimously voted Monday to recommend East Drumore Township reject amendments proposed by Community Energy to the township's zoning ordinance that would allow the company to build its solar farm.
Also filed under [
General]
Gamesa Energy USA wants to begin work on its 25-turbine wind farm in Centre and Blair counties as early as June.
The project will be the first large-scale wind farm in Centre County. Project developer Josh Framel told the Centre County Planning Commission on Tuesday night that the company is aiming to begin project work in June or July, depending on the availability of turbines.
Also filed under [
General]
After months of disagreement and negotiations, the Northumberland County commissioners and Penn Wind LLC signed a lease renewal Tuesday for the company's proposed wind farm south of Shamokin in East Cameron and Coal townships.
Also filed under [
General]
$4M wind farm pact done; County doubles potential income
April 21, 2010 by Marcia Moore in The Daily Item
April 21, 2010 by Marcia Moore in The Daily Item
Debate over a proposed wind farm has ended with Northumberland County commissioners signing a 29-year lease with a Sunbury firm that more than doubles the amount the county had been slated to receive under the original contract.
The deal will allow Penn Wind LLC to set up three wind turbines on county land in Coal and East Cameron townships.
Also filed under [
General]
Tempers boil over Hegins Valley turbine project
April 18, 2010 by Rebecca Zemencik in Republican Herald
April 18, 2010 by Rebecca Zemencik in Republican Herald
During the meeting, Terry Wolfgang, an employee with the state Department of Environmental Protection Mine Safety division, asked the BP representatives if they are aware that Robert Rifkin, the landowner, has leased the same land to three or four different entities already - including a lease given for a timbering project, and mining previously done on the south end of the ridge included in the property.
Also filed under [
General]
Tyrone Borough Council gave Gamesa USA the green light this week for building 16 wind turbines on the borough's watershed.
The primary area of concern was the potential for major land clearing to build access roads to the turbines, said James Casselberry of the State College-based Casselberry Associates, the firm hired by the borough to review Gamesa's site plans. But the plans have been changed to eliminate much of that work.
Also filed under [
General]
A federal agency and Audubon Pennsylvania are among about 40 conservation groups from around the world critical of a wind turbine project that's been approved for Turkey Hill along the Susquehanna River.
All the concerns except one revolve around perceived threats 120-foot-long blades on twin turbines would pose to bald eagles, other birds of prey, waterfowl, including tundra swans, and shorebirds that use or migrate through the area.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Birds]
Turbines prompt special meeting in Butler Township
March 17, 2010 by Gerry Ulicny in Republican Herald
March 17, 2010 by Gerry Ulicny in Republican Herald
The township has long been embroiled in litigation with Broad Mountain Development Co. LLC over that company's plans to construct 27 wind turbines in the Fountain Springs area. The project is strongly opposed by many residents, and one of the issues before the courts is the fact that at the time Broad Mountain developed its plan there was no specific mention of wind turbines in its ordinances.
Also filed under [
General]
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