January 5, 2008
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Other companies are making plans to build massive industrial wind turbines in Potter County, at sites both north and south of the county seat.
One of the plans that recently surfaced involves property in and around Hebron Township/Crandall Hill, where turbines are targeted for leased farmland. A separate plan involves location of a commercial wind plant in the Dutch Hill/Inez area, Homer Township, between Coudersport and Austin.
These revelations come on the heels of a plan by international energy giant AES Corporation to build upwards of 80 turbines on high-altitude farmland in Ulysses and Hector townships in northern Potter County.
Next door in Tioga County, a plan to build 124 of the machines was approved last month by the county’s Planning Commission.
As the extent of the wind companies’ plans becomes more evident, citizens’ groups in both counties are talking about joining forces in opposition.
A Tioga County organization plans to contract with an attorney specializing in land use issues and is asking for financial help. Additional information is available from the Tioga Preservation Group in Wellsboro at 570-724-0626.
Meanwhile, members of the Potter County Planning Commission will take another crack at regulating the windenergy industry when they meet again on Tuesday, Jan. 8. That meeting will start at 6 pm at the planning office, located off Rt. 872 near the county’s former Maple View properties.
Planners have been trying for months to come up with amendments to the county’s land development ordinance that would control where property owners can allow wind turbines to be constructed.
Lured by federal and state tax incentives, AES wants to build turbines that stand more than 400 feet high – the Statue of Liberty measures 305 feet – and cost millions of dollars. They would generate electricity that would be fed into the national grid.
Some citizens have been lobbying county officials to impose limits on wind turbines, including substantial setbacks from adjoining property. Members of the Planning Commission have been unable to reach a consensus on the issue.
Any regulations that the agency approves will go before the new board of county commissioners for approval.
5 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/05/blowing-new-plans-for-wind-plants/