FAA approves wind farm

JOHNSTOWN - The Federal Aviation Administration is giving its OK to the proposed Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm, two months after voicing concerns that some turbines could potentially create problems for local airports.

The FAA has issued a "determination of no hazard to air navigation" for the wind farm Gamesa USA wants to build on ridges along the Somerset-Bedford county line.

In the review of each of the 30 turbines proposed for the farm, the FAA said the structures do not exceed obstruction standards and would not be a hazard to air navigation provided some conditions are met.

Those conditions are that each turbine be marked and lit in accordance with FAA requirements, including white paint and synchronized red lights.

The ruling is the most recent in a number of permitting steps Gamesa is taking for Shaffer Mountain, said Alyssa Edwards, a project developer.

"The decision reverses a ruling issued at the end of 2009 and thus conforms with FAA's original findings," she said.

Two years ago, the FAA approved Gamesa's Shaffer Mountain plans, but the Spain-based energy company had to resubmit because the determination expired after 18 months.

The project has been delayed at the state level as Gamesa seeks approval from the Department of Environmental Protection for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit.

The most recent FAA decision prompted concerns that one or two of the 15 turbines proposed for the Bedford County side of the mountain will impact aircraft using the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport and the Bedford County Airport at Cessna.

Gamesa plans to build the turbines along or near the ridge top. A few of the proposed turbines concern Ray Jennings, manager of the single-runway Bedford County Airport.

"The FAA, they would place a tower right at the end of the runway and say it's OK," a frustrated Jennings said.

If all of the 400-foot-tall windmills are allowed as planned, they could force aircraft taking off from the Bedford County facility to fly 400 to 500 feet higher than at present, Jennings said.

As a result, some smaller business aircraft using the airport will be forced to use other airports, he said.

"One (windmill) sits basically right off our one approach," he said.

With the ridge reaching 2,400 to 2,500 feet, a 400-foot-tall windmill would take the mountain up to nearly 3,000 feet, he said.

In some cases, the turbines actually would be taller than Jennings estimates.

The FAA approvals on each list the turbines as 404 feet tall.

Coupled with the height of the mountain range, the heights will range from 2,962 to 3,226 feet.

The turbines could force aircraft using the eastern approach at the Johnstown airport to fly at a higher altitude.

"I would think Johnstown would be screaming," Jennings said.

Johnstown airport manager Scott Voelker is not questioning the FAA findings of no impact.

"If the FAA determines it's not an impact, it's not an impact," he said.

But there could be concerns about a couple of the windmills and their impact on some aircraft.

"It's not good. You never want to raise (the altitude) depending on the weather. It could affect smaller aircraft," Voelker said.

Jack Buchan of Johnstown, a member of Sensible Wind Solutions and an outspoken opponent of the Shaffer Mountain project, said the decision reflects an agenda to promote wind energy.

"It doesn't surprise me. It's upsetting, but we expected it," he said. "There's no question, there was political pressure at the state level."

Buchan thinks the higher elevations needed to clear the turbines will impact safety at both airports.

"You're going to have to come in like a dive bomber," he said of the Johnstown facility.