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.
Construction begins on 70-megawatt wind farm in northern Lycoming County
WILLIAMSPORT — Seven years after the project was announced, a subsidiary of Duke Energy has started construction on a 70 megawatt wind farm on Laurel Hill Ridge off Route 14 in northern Lycoming County. Half the pads for the 30 turbines have been poured, and Laurel Hill Wind Energy of Rutland, Vt., anticipates the more than $150 million project will be in production by late summer, spokesman Robert Charleboif said Tuesday. The turbines will generate enough electricity to serve a . . .
Going against the wind
NOXEN TWP. – As the $220 million Mehoopany Wind Farm project proceeds in southern Wyoming County, fears and concerns among some residents persist. Flatbed trucks have been hauling massive rotors and towers to a staging area in Monroe Township since November. Roads are being built along the sides of the Endless Mountains in neighboring Noxen Township to accommodate nearly 90 wind turbines that British Petroleum will erect there and in three nearby towns later this year. The wind farm project . . .
Deal finished for Patton wind farm
PATTON – A deal has been closed for a proposed new wind farm in Cambria County. OwnEnergy and EverPower Wind Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Terra Firma, announced the deal Tuesday where EverPower will buy and construct Patton Wind Farm LLC in Elder, West Carroll and East Carroll townships. The project will be 30 megawatts and will be fully operational by the end of 2012, OwnEnergy said in a news release. OwnEnergy has been working on the project with Patton . . .
EverPower buys 15-turbine wind farm in Cambria County
A New York investment firm with an office in Pittsburgh has acquired the development rights to a 15-turbine wind energy farm in northern Cambria County, the company said today. EverPower Wind Holdings Inc. said it acquired the rights to develop the 30-megawatt Patton Wind Farm from OwnEnergy, another New York firm, for an undisclosed price. EverPower is a subsidiary of the private equity firm Terra Firma. OwnEnergy has been developing the project, which is expected to be operational by the . . .
Green dreams dashed
As the federal Energy Department blew billions of dollars on green-energy pipe dreams, the Labor Department shoveled away its share, too, dumping $162 million into so-called “green” jobs. That is, for 1,336 people as of October. That’s more than $121,000 per job created, reports Sean Higgins of Investor’s Business Daily, based on findings from Labor’s inspector general. The IG said millions of dollars in unspent funds should be returned to the Treasury. “(T)here is no evidence that grantees will effectively . . .
Pennsylvania’s wind power industry grows
Call it a burst of energy. Pennsylvania’s wind power industry continues to grow, as more ridges in Fayette, Somerset, Cambria and Blair counties become home to wind turbines. Industry analysts and observers say that growth — seven wind farm projects in three years and five under construction — stems from the state’s requirement that utilities buy renewable energy, a production tax credit, and improved technology that makes wind turbines more efficient. “There’s been a flurry of activity recently,” said Thurman . . .
New guidelines may protect bats
SOMERSET -— With wind being one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world, environmentalists are warning that winged creatures are increasingly endangered by turbines. In September an endangered Indiana bat was found dead at the North Allegheny Wind Farm that straddles Cambria and Blair counties. That is a 35-turbine farm operated by Duke Energy Renewables. The company shut down the turbines at night during the bat migration season. In January the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish new . . .
Bethlehem authority looking for new wind farm partner
The Bethlehem Authority is searching for a new partner to start a wind business on the breezy ridges surrounding the city’s water supply in the Poconos. The agreement with a wind energy developer, Call Mountain Wind, was derailed, in part, over the amount of money the authority would make from the energy to be harnessed by wind turbines. The authority entered into the letter of intent with the idea that it would get either 4 percent of the gross revenue . . .
Bethlehem wind energy deal falls through
Bethlehem’s watershed lands won’t generate wind energy any time soon. A deal approved in April to partner with two companies to study the wind energy production capabilities of the city’s watershed lands it owns in Carbon County has fallen through, said Stephen Repasch, executive director of the Bethlehem Authority, which oversees the property. Citizens Energy Corp. pulled out of the deal in August and the second company, Delsea Energy, could not find a willing partner to fulfill the contract, Repasch . . .
Property clearing planned for construction of turbines
SUNBURY – More than 1 1/2 years after signing a lease with Northumberland County for 75 acres in Coal and East Cameron townships, Penn Wind LLC plans to start clearing property next month for three wind turbines. Justin Dunkelberger, chief executive officer for Penn Wind, said the county will receive 6 percent of the profits from electricity generated by the turbines under the 29-year lease agreement. Dunkelberger met recently with Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi to discuss plans to begin . . .
