December 3, 2018
Pennsylvania

Carbon reviews turbine ordinance

By Amy Miller | Times News | Published November 23. 2018 | www.tnonline.com

Carbon officials again said most of the proposed amendments to an ordinance regarding wind turbines in Penn Forest Township are consistent with a state ordinance that is already in place.

On Tuesday, Ivan O. Meixell, Carbon County planner, outlined his review of the amendments for the Carbon County Planning Commission. This is the second time the planning commission reviewed the proposed zoning ordinance.

Two applications have been made by Atlantic Wind for a wind farm on property owned by Bethlehem Water Authority. The first application for 37 turbines was deemed approved and is working through the appeals process. In the meantime, Atlantic Wind filed a second application for 28 turbines on the same section of land.

Meixell said that the second review findings show that the amendments for the zoning ordinance are “consistent with many of the recommendations set forth in the model ordinance for wind energy facilities in Pennsylvania and those of surrounding communities that have adopted their own ordinances regarding wind turbines and wind energy facilities.”

He pointed out that many of the recommendations from the commission’s first review on July 17 were taken into consideration and incorporated into the proposed ordinance, but there are a few revisions that are “necessary to establish consistent standards for conformance for the installation of wind turbine facilities located in Penn Forest Township.”

Two areas, the commission stated need a closer review include the certifications, licenses and permits for the installation of wind turbines; and that the applicant should provide documentation of the response to the notice of proposed construction form must be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Transportation’s bureau of aviation.

The commission’s review will now be sent to Penn Forest Township for inclusion with the discussion on the proposed amendment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/12/03/carbon-reviews-turbine-ordinance/