July 9, 2008
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
NOXEN – Supervisors last Tuesday approved an agreement that could provide the township with around $40,000 a year for wind turbines BP Alternative Energy expects to build in Noxen.
Under the “voluntary host community agreement,” Noxen will receive a one-time upfront payment of $50,000 payable within 30 days of the installation of the first wind turbine in the township.
The agreement also will allow the township to receive an annual host payment based on a formula that takes into account the difference between the wind turbine’s capacity and its tax payments to the township.
Noxen made the agreement with Mehoopany Wind Energy LLC, a subsidiary of BP that expects to build up to 89 turbines in Noxen, Eaton, Forkston and Mehoopany townships, according to BP Alternative Energy business developer Kevin Davis.
Davis said that transmission lines would also be located in Washington Township, where the company expects to connect the wind turbine facility with a substation at Procter & Gamble off Route 87.
Davis noted that turbines with a capacity of 30,000-40,000 megawatts of energy would likely be located in Noxen. He added that Noxen could receive $30,000-$40,000 each year.
Davis said that BP hopes to have the facility running by the end of 2009.
Also on Tuesday, supervisors approved a waiver that allows BP to build a wind turbine on property owned by Joel Field off Route 29 within 500 feet of township land.
Solicitor Ron Kamage said that the waiver exempts BP from a township ordinance that would prevent a wind turbine from being built within 500 feet of a person’s property.
BP plans to build the wind turbine on Field’s property on Schooley Mountain.
On Tuesday, supervisors also adopted a fee schedule for a Bowman’s Creek Watershed ordinance.
Under the ordinance, a $500 fee would be charged for a drainage plan review and inspection of drainage facility installation, among other services.
Supervisor Carl Shook said that BP has plans to use the ordinance in a stormwater mitigation plan it would create as part of an overall development.
By Josh Mrozinski
Wyoming County Press Examiner
9 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/09/wind-turbine-project-steps-forward/