September 20, 2014
Pennsylvania

State Rep. Rapp resolution calls for wind turbine impact study

Titusville Herald | September 20, 2014 | www.titusvilleherald.com

HARRISBURG – Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean), a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the use and overall impact of wind turbines was overwhelmingly adopted by the Pennsylvania House on Wednesday by a margin of 181-11.

“With the ever-growing number of reports confirming that on-shore wind energy facilities are directly responsible for the clearing of large areas of forested land and the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, endangered bats and even eagles, we can no longer just assume that wind turbines are absolutely harmless to our environment or even a viable source of alternative energy,” said Rapp. “The time has come for a comprehensive, reality-based study and report on the actual impact of wind turbines across the Commonwealth. Today’s final passage of House Resolution 925 will ensure that the necessary research is conducted before these and other negative impacts on Pennsylvania’s wildlife and natural resources become irreversible.”

Specifically, House Resolution 925 directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the use of wind turbines in the following areas:

— Number of wind turbines operating in Pennsylvania and their owners.

— Agencies that oversee the operation of wind turbines.

— Sources and amounts of subsidies for wind turbines.

— Wind turbines’ imprint acreage and effects on wildlife.

— Wind turbines impact on the electric grid.

Rapp’s resolution also directs the Joint State Government Commission to report its findings to the governor’s office and the Pennsylvania General Assembly no later than Sept. 17, 2015.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/20/state-rep-rapp-resolution-calls-for-wind-turbine-impact-study/