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Wind Power News: Pennsylvania
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Expansion of alternative energy senseless
In 2004, Pennsylvania implemented one of the most aggressive mandates to adopt wind and solar energy. At the time, less than 1 percent of net energy generation came from these sources. In 2023, after nearly $1.5 billion in subsidies, wind and solar generated less than 2 percent. So, what’s the point? That’s the question Gov. Josh Shapiro must answer before any expansion to Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS). Instead, he is doubling down on uneconomical fuels and technologies, resulting . . . Complete story »
State police investigating shooting of wind turbines
Police are investigating after two wind turbines in Schuylkill County were shot at. According to Pennsylvania State Police in Frackville, two wind turbines belonging to Avangrid Renewables in the area of Raven Run Road and Ringown Boulevard in Union Township were intentionally shot at with a firearm. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to contact state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300. Complete story »
Energy en route: Wind turbine parts cross area
Loads of wind turbine blades and components began rolling toward Blair County on Wednesday, headed for the Sandy Ridge Wind Farm expansion project near Tyrone. Tyrone Borough Manager Ardean Latchford said the trucks are bringing in parts, including blades, for the nine additional turbines that will be added to the 15 already existing on the Snyder Township portion of the farm. Sandy Ridge, owned by Liberty Power of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., currently has 25 wind turbines, but part of the . . . Complete story »
Atlantic Wind walks away from watershed plans
The developer that proposed wind turbines on Bethlehem Authority land in Penn Forest Township is reportedly leaving the project after more than six years. The authority says that Atlantic Wind LLC is no longer interested in building wind turbines on the authority’s 12,500-acre watershed property in Penn Forest Township. According to Stephen Repasch, director of the Bethlehem Authority, Atlantic Wind’s decision was because it has other projects in development. “This one was not at the top of their priority list. . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine blades being stored in Harborcreek
If you’ve driven East on the I-90 towards Buffalo, you’ve likely seen the large wind turbine blades stacked on top of each other near Exit 32. Each blade is 244 feet long and weighs 26 tons, and they arrived on a cargo ships back in May. Earlier today, crews were seen unloading the massive blades from a truck, which can only be done with a crane. According to the Facebook group “Southtown Scanner,” a large barge washed ashore near Van . . . Complete story »
Windmill fire sparks concern in Luzerne County
BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Fire Crews responded to a wind turbine engulfed in flame, at a wind farm, Saturday morning. According to the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department (BCFD), crews were dispatched to Bear Creek Wind Park on Bald Mountain Road around 9:15 a.m. for a report of a wind turbine on fire. Bald Mountain Road was closed off for some time but, is now back open. The fire was contained to only one of the windmill, however, . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine catches fire in Bear Creek
BEAR CREEK, Pa. – Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire on a wind turbine in Luzerne County Saturday morning. Crews arrived at the Bear Creek Wind Farm around 9:30 a.m. There was a lot of black smoke but no flames showing. Crews were able to put out the fire in about an hour. Officials say they are still investigating the cause of this fire in Luzerne County. Complete story »
House passes bill blocking DEP from issuing some wind project permits without feds’ approval
The state House voted 189-11 on Friday to approve a bill sponsored by Rep. Zachary Mako, R-Northampton barring the state Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits for the construction of wind turbines in the commonwealth that “may negatively impact a military installation’s airspace, flight paths or established training needs” without the approval of federal officials. State military officials at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County are opposed to a proposed wind farm in neighboring Schuylkill County, about 15 miles . . . Complete story »
Rapp’s solar, wind teardown bill passes house
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp to require solar and wind energy decommissioning plans has been passed by the House of Representatives. The legislation heads to the state Senate for discussion. Rapp, R-Warren, introduced the bill in December. Any alternative energy agreement will be required to include a decommissioning plan and proof of financing from a banking institution to pay to remove the solar panels or turbine. The plan would have to be updated regularly with money held in escrow . . . Complete story »
PA House committee passes bill limiting wind turbines near military bases
A Pennsylvania House committee voted on party lines to limit the construction or installation of wind turbines that negatively affect military installations. House Bill 2367, known as the Military Installation Training Preservation Act, would “prohibit the construction or installation of a wind turbine in an area or a region of a military installation in this Commonwealth that may affect the military installation’s airspace, flight paths or established training needs in accordance with this act.” The bill was voted on by . . . Complete story »
