Wind Power News: Pennsylvania
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
How wind energy is sucking the life out of our bat population
As the United States looks to green technology to keep up with rising energy costs, wind energy has become a beacon of hope. Pennsylvania now ranks 15th in the nation in wind energy, and wind farms in our region have been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But there are problems. Even if all the wind farms in Pennsylvania were utilized, they’d still only make up for about 6 percent of needed electricity in the state. And, ironically, they . . .
Two big Pennsylvania wind farm projects canceled
Two big wind development projects on Appalachian ridges in Bedford and Clearfield counties have been canceled, and fewer new turbines will be spinning across the nation next year due to the possible end of a federal tax credit program that has driven development. Some environmentalists are applauding the potentially lengthy lull in wind development, but the industry says more than half of the 75,000 people working to make and install turbines could lose their jobs next year. And layoffs have . . .
Turbines turning: Adams, Summerhill wind farm goes on grid
The news is not so good for Iberdrola Renewables Inc., of Portland, Ore., with a company official confirming Monday that it is scrapping plans to develop the Dunnings Mountain project a 24 turbine farm in the planning since 2005 for a mountain range running from Bedford to New Enterprise in Bedford County.
The project was to put turbines on Dunnings, Evitts and Brumbaugh mountain ranges.
Also being scrapped are plans to build the Clover Run project located between Grampian and Luthersburg in Clearfield County.
Mixed emotions after wind turbine company axes project
BEDFORD COUNTY — It was a battle that used to draw a crowd at the Bedford Township Supervisors’ meetings. “People that were going to get a pile of money over it, they want them here,” township resident and farmer, Ron Dibert said. “The people that have nothing to gain except the annoyance of looking at them, they are the once that are complaining. I’m like Sweden, I stay in the middle.” Dibert didn’t stand to gain much from the addition . . .
Windmill company pulls the plug
Two multi-million dollar energy projects, some in the works since 2005, have been scrapped. An Oregon company says it’s no longer planning to build wind turbines in parts of Bedford and Clearfield counties. A spokesperson with Iberdrola Renewables, Incorporated of Portland said the company pulled the plug on the energy projects for a number of reasons. “This is a challenging time with wind energy right now, with policy uncertainty and the state of the economy. So as a result, we . . .
Wind farm project in limbo
SUNBURY — Even though Penn Wind CEO Justin Dunkelberger informed the Northumberland County commissioners weeks ago that his company wouldn’t be pursuing a $30 million wind turbine project, the county is giving him another 60 days to pay a $50,000 land lease payment. Penn Wind signed a 29-year lease with the county in 2010 for 75 acres in Coal and Cameron townships to build three wind turbines and pay the county 6 percent of the profits from electricity generated. The . . .
Public misled by energy claims
As an electrical engineer, I have always embraced the technology behind wind, hydro, solar and other forms of “alternative” energy production. It is undoubtedly cool. What I despise is an agenda by special interest groups to mislead the public regarding the maturity and efficiency of those systems in an effort to destroy the nuclear and fossil fuel industries that drive our economy. The recent failure of the 5-year-old wind turbine at Tom Ridge Environmental Center is a good example. Numbers . . .
Clarification on wind turbine lease
A lease between Northumberland County and Penn Wind LLC for a windmill project near Shamokin in 2007 did not include a flat fee of $56,000 per year as mentioned near the end of a story in Wednesday’s edition. An earlier paragraph correctly explained that the 2007 lease was for $1 per acre, with no annual fee. Commissioner Vinny Clausi renegotiated for the $56,000 annual fee with a new lease in 2009. The first payment of that $56,000 was to be . . .
Wind firms can’t expect indefinite patience from county
It’s not surprising that a plan to install wind turbines in Northumberland County has stalled out amid a tough economy and the nation’s slow acceptance of alternative energy. Still, Northumberland County can’t be expected to continually renegotiate deals and wait indefinitely to earn anything on behalf of the taxpayers for its part in the investment. Sunbury-based Penn Wind LLC got a sweetheart deal originally in signing a $1 per year lease for 900-plus acres on which it intended to build . . .
Wind project offer rejected
SUNBURY – Despite having his offer turned down by the county commissioners Tuesday afternoon, the new owner of a proposed wind energy project on county-owned land in Coal and East Cameron townships is convinced the local economy will reap huge benefits if a lease agreement is approved with his company. Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Rick Shoch and Stephen Bridy turned down a new year-to-year lease agreement with Everpower that calls for the county to receive $2,000 per year for 400 acres . . .
