March 8, 2019
Pennsylvania

Bethlehem Authority joins in appeal by Atlantic Wind

By Den McLaughlin | Times News | March 08. 2019 | www.tnonline.com

The Bethlehem Authority, on whose land the construction of 28 nearly 600-foot-tall wind turbines would be built, has filed an appeal of the decision of the Penn Forest Zoning Hearing board denial of Atlantic Wind’s second special exception permit application.

The authority has filed notice in Carbon County it is joining Atlantic Wind in its appeal of the decision and would join in the pending matter before the county court.

Atlantic Wind claims the Penn Forest Zoning Hearing Board “abused its discretion” when it denied its second special exception permit application in December. Atlantic Wind filed its appeal with the county court last Thursday.

Bethlehem Authority has now joined in that appeal by filing its own notice of appeal with the county court stating the same objections as is contained in the Atlantic Wind appeal.

Bethlehem Authority has entered into an agreement with Atlantic Wind for property it owns in the township to be used for construction of the proposed wind turbines.

The authority’s appeal identifies at least 15 parcels of its land that would be used by Atlantic Wind in the construction of the turbines. The appeal notes that the authority has entered into a agreement with Atlantic Wind to allow the property noted, and portions thereof, to be developed as a wind energy facility.

In its filing the authority states, “As the owner of the Property Bethlehem Authority has an immediate, substantial and direct interest in the special exception request.”

The appeal concludes by asking the county court to reverse “the board’s denial of the special exception request and grant any other relief the court deems just and proper.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/03/08/bethlehem-authority-joins-in-appeal-by-atlantic-wind/