| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: Pennsylvania
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Massive turbine blade pierces into Bradenville business, ties up traffic in Derry Township
A giant blade destined for a wind turbine pierced the wall of a Derry Township business Tuesday morning when the trucker hauling the oversize load was unable to navigate a sharp, 90-degree turn on Route 982. “I was standing there, and the next thing you know it was in my building,” said George Piper, owner of Zeb’s auto shop in the village of Bradenville. The center of the southbound blade came close to a home on the opposite corner of . . . Complete story »
Nearly 160-foot-long wind turbine blade gets stuck between 2 homes in Pittsburgh area
An oversized trailer hauling the blade of a wind turbine got stuck Tuesday in Bradenville, Westmoreland County, along its 700-mile route to Iowa. Derry Township Supervisor Don Kepple told KDKA-TV that the driver said he was on his way from Ebensburg to Iowa on a route approved by PennDOT. “The driver said they get their permit through PennDOT, and they have to follow the route that was given to them. They’re not allowed to get off that route, and somebody . . . Complete story »
What’s happening with the two burned wind turbines?
For the past four years, two burned wind turbines have sat seemingly abandoned, towering eyesores above the Ringtown Valley. Part of the Locust Ridge I wind farm in Mahanoy Township, the adjacent turbines burned in December 2020 and March 2021 respectively. At least five of them have burned in Locust Ridge I and Locust Ridge II near Raven Run since they were installed beginning in 2007. Turbines that burned in 2009 and 2014 were replaced. The latter’s replacement was the . . . Complete story »
Turbine project near Fort Indiantown Gap grounded by ACUB
Fort Indiantown Gap has won a five-year battle against a proposed wind turbine project in Hegins, Schuylkill County. Philadelphia-based project developer Doral Renewables LLC was collaborating with Schuylkill County–based Rausch Creek Land L.P., which owns the land, to construct an 88-turbine, 175-megawatt wind farm at the location, which is about 15 miles from the military installation. However, the land needed for the project was in proximity to where military personnel conduct helicopter training exercises. That led Fort Indiantown Gap officials . . . Complete story »
Citizens oppose Pa. Lake Erie wind turbine bill – find out why
Now that summer is upon us, we are looking forward to the many activities that take place on Lake Erie. Unfortunately, we believe these pristine shores and waters are in jeopardy thanks to Pennsylvania House Bill 254, introduced by Rep. Bob Merski, of Erie, and endorsed by Reps. Pat Harkins, of Erie, and Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek Township, which paves the way for offshore energy development, including the installation of wind turbines in Lake Erie. The Clean Water Act of . . . Complete story »
Lake Erie horizon cluttered with energy equipment? S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie is a hard ‘no’
On Tuesday, April 16th, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 254 sponsored by state Rep. Bob Merski, of Erie, D-2nd Dist., that would allow the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to lease tracts of lake bed land in Lake Erie to construct and maintain equipment for renewable energy. These devices would be used for developing wind, solar and kinetic (water power) energy. Similar attempts at this type of development have been attempted off shore of Cleveland, Ohio, and . . . Complete story »
Shots fired at wind turbines in Schuylkill County
State police are investigating multiple incidents where shots were fired at a wind turbine in Schuylkill County. According to Pennsylvania State Police, on May 29 around 12:00 p.m., troopers were called for a report of criminal mischief. Troopers say they found over the past month, unknown people were trespassing on Avanerid Winf Farm and firing a gun into a wind turbine. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 570-874-5300. Complete story »
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 »
