July 19, 2017
Pennsylvania

Paint Township exploring wind farm ordinance, police coverage

By Dylan Johnson | The Daily American | Jul 18, 2017 | www.dailyamerican.com

A wind farm ordinance is still in the works for Paint Township as officials draw examples from neighboring municipalities.

Supervisor Lewis Clark II said the township’s solicitor is looking at five other wind farm ordinances from municipalities, including Adams Township in Cambria County.

Officials will pick pieces of those ordinances and use them to write their own.

The interest in a wind farm ordinance first arose at a township meeting July 5. Clark said the supervisors are learning from neighboring townships and will prepare an ordinance before it is needed.

Clark was referring to the ongoing efforts of Chicago energy company Invenergy to place windmills in Ogle and Shade townships. In April Invenergy representatives told residents that the project was still months or years away from consideration.

The ordinance would also include restrictions on natural gas drilling. The township has no ordinance in regard to wind turbines or drilling.

At Tuesday’s township meeting, Clark also said the supervisors are exploring a purchase of service agreement for police protection.

He said he would like police services in addition to state police coverage because state police don’t enforce township ordinances and have fewer officers on weekends.

Clark said the supervisors are speaking with a source for police coverage, but he declined to say how much it might cost or who would provide coverage.

“Everything depends on price,” he said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/07/19/paint-township-exploring-wind-farm-ordinance-police-coverage/