November 7, 2006
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
It will be several months before Ogle Township has an ordinance restricting construction of wind turbines, township officials said Monday.
“We’ve got to iron out some things,” Supervisor Chairman Harvey Weyandt Jr. said.
Supervisors began cobbling together an ordinance similar to the 10-page model ordinance drafted by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors.
Issues unsettled in Ogle included setback requirements, noise restrictions and cost of application.
Weyandt said satisfying those on both sides of the issue will be difficult.
“It’s not going to please everybody,” he said. “Because of so much opposition, we feel we need to pass an ordinance.”
Joe Comisky, leader of a grassroots organization called “Save the Mountain,” warned supervisors the interest of residents takes precedence over companies planning to put up electricity-generating turbines.
Windmill proponent Roger Irons continued his crusade saying that, except for isolated cases, no current documentation substantiates the claim that turbines damage wildlife.
Meanwhile, Allegheny Township supervisors, before nearly 40 windmill opponents and supporters, voted Monday to preliminarily approve a draft ordinance to tighten rules for wind-energy companies looking to develop on the township ridges.
That’s even though the township has yet to be formally approached with plans for turbines.
“We just want to be prepared,” said supervisors’ board Vice Chairman Dale Miller.
The draft now goes to neighboring townships and the Somerset County Planning Commission for review.
By Patrick Buchnowski
The Tribune-Democrat
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/11/07/ogle-township-officials-ironing-out-turbine-ordinance/