December 4, 2014
Pennsylvania

Wind farms denied in Foster Township

By Peggy Lee | December 3, 2014 | wnep.com

A community in Luzerne County is celebrating a victory after a company wanting to build wind turbines there was denied its application.

Wednesday night Foster Township officials voted against the company’s request to install three wind farms in the area near Hazleton.

The packed municipal building erupted in cheers in Foster Township as residents heard the news they hoped to hear from the township`s zoning board: wind turbines cannot be built in their community.

“The application to develop wind turbines in several zoning districts in Foster Township is denied,” said zoning board member Jack Patrick.

“I felt very confident, very confident. We have a good group of people, good neighborhood and yes, I had a feeling it was going to go on our behalf and it did,” said Lynn Iannacone of Foster Township.

EDF Renewable Energy was asking for special exception to install three wind farms in the township.

Each location would have eight turbines with a total of 24.

The wind farms would sit near neighboring Butler Township, the borough of Freeland, and in the lower part of the township.

Residents living in and around those parts came to voice opposition.

“I have a beautiful view of the mountain and stuff and the last thing I want to see is wind turbines on that mountain,” said Joe Jacobs.

“It’s a wonderful turnout and I think it shows the opposition in the community that we do not want these wind farms in our location area. It does destruction to the environment,” said Susan Blasko.

“A serious drop in property values backed up by numerous studies,” said another resident.

The company said the wind farms would be a renewable energy source that could provide electricity to thousands of homes and millions of dollars in leases to the community.

Supporters agreed.

“Renewable energy in this coal mining area would be a great coup for us to actually develop that and I just want to let you know that I support it,” said Lynn Falatko of Freeland.

The company can appeal the zoning board’s denial to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/04/wind-farms-denied-in-foster-township/