July 29, 2008
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Eaton-Monroe Township Joint Planning Committee reviewed amendments Monday to a zoning ordinance that addresses natural gas drilling and wind turbines.
No action was taken on the revised law, which also would regulate outdoor furnaces.
A 30-day review by each municipality, as well as a public hearing, would have to be held before any changes can be made, according to community planner Carson Helfrich.
Included in the revisions would be language to address sound levels and decommissioning of a wind turbine facility.
Mehoopany Wind Energy LLC, a subsidiary of BP Alternative Energy, expects to build up to 89 turbines in Noxen, Eaton, Forkston and Mehoopany townships.
BP business developer Kevin Davis said BP will review the proposed changes.
He said BP may ask the county to intervene if decommissioning of its proposed wind turbine farm were necessary.
However, Eaton Township Supervisor Randy Ehrenzeller said he would not want to give up the municipality’s right to review.
Under the ordinance, a wind turbine could produce up to 50 decibels of sound at the property line of a nonparticipating landowner if any occupied building on that land is within 500 feet of a wind turbine.
Proposed amendments to the ordinance also define a wind turbine generator, an outdoor furnace and gas and oil wells.
Under the revisions, a hearing would have to be held for each proposed natural gas or oil well, which would be considered a conditional use, according to Mr. Helfrich.
By Josh Mrozinski
Staff Writer
29 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/29/eaton-monroe-eyes-drilling-wind-issues/