Wind Power News: Pennsylvania
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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.
There’s hidden costs with renewables
Debate over Rep. Kathy Rapp’s legislation to require proper bonding and reclamation of solar and wind energy facilities last week in the state House of Representatives Environmental Resources and Energy became contentious. In his zeal to discredit Rapp, Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, actually made Rapp’s point for her. Rapp wants to have any alternative energy agreement include a decommissioning plan and proof of financing from a banking institution to pay to remove the solar panels and turbines. The plan would . . . Complete story »
Rep. Rapp sponsors legislation on wind, solar energy libailities
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp aimed at protecting landowners and high-valued farmlands against long-term liabilities associated with wind and solar energy development was reported out of committee on Tuesday. Rapp said House Bill 2104 had advanced out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy committee. The bill addresses bonding and reclamation of lands leased to solar and wind energy facilities. Under the bill, proof of the bond would be held with the county recorder of deeds and reported . . . Complete story »
Naturalist: Earth Day should be every day
People are touting new technology such as solar and wind power, but Klock said consideration isn’t always given to the impact that has on wildlife. “Mountain tops are stripped bare, to build wind farms,” Klock said. “Windmills can be very damaging to wildlife, especially animals that migrate over mountain tops in the fall. The sounds that they make and the air pressure that they create does damage to bats and smaller birds. When we talk about giant wind farms like in Alameda County, California, those are the largest wind farms in the world, but that area also has the highest population of golden eagles in the world. And those golden eagles are dying left and right.” Complete story »
Hawk Mountain responds to energy firm’s guilty plea
A NextEra Energy Inc. subsidiary pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and was sentenced to pay millions in penalties over eagles killed by its wind energy operations, the U.S. Justice Department announced April 5. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary supports environmentally responsible wind and other renewable energy development as an important measure to combat climate change. However, environmentally responsible wind energy development starts with siting turbines where impacts to wildlife and people can be minimized. “Hawk Mountain is committed . . . Complete story »
North Lebanon Township places restrictions on new solar & wind farms
The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors met Monday to discuss solar and wind energy, paving project bids, and other business. Solar and wind farm ordinances Supervisors unanimously approved Ordinance No. 5 – 2022, which introduces preliminary regulations on properties used specifically for generating and distributing solar or wind power. New provisions are as such: Solar or wind farms are only permitted in the I-1 Industrial Zoning District. The NLT zoning map is available here (PDF). The lot containing the . . . Complete story »
Dispute over Schuylkill Co. wind farm exposes fissures in Pa.’s push to meet renewable energy goals
A proposed wind farm in Schuylkill County is pitting investors and renewable energy advocates excited about the project – and its economic benefits – against military and governmental officials who are concerned that the project poses a threat to military operations at a nearby base. The proposed 175-megawatt wind farm, which would sit approximately 15 miles north of Fort Indiantown Gap in neighboring Lebanon County, is the product of years-long talks between Schuylkill County-based Rausch Creek Land L.P, which owns . . . Complete story »
Court: findings of fact failed in experts’ battle over wind turbine noise
In recent years, public support for renewable energy generation has increased across the United States. According to a recent article published by the National Agricultural Law Center, 89% of Americans support expanding solar power generation and 83% support wind power expansion. See, Peggy Kirk Hall, Whitney Morgan and Jesse Richardson, “Land Use Conflicts Between Wind and Solar Renewable Energy and Agricultural Uses,” Nat’l Ag. Law Center (Jan. 10, 2022). National approval, however, often fails to translate into local support. Those . . . Complete story »
Township challenges wind ruling
Penn Forest Township is challenging a recent appeals court decision which revived a wind farm proposal on Bethlehem Authority land in the township. On Wednesday, the township filed a petition saying the Commonwealth Court should hear additional arguments in the case of Atlantic Wind v. Zoning Hearing Board of Penn Forest Township. A group of 42 residents who live near the Bethlehem Authority watershed also filed a similar petition. “We believe the (county court) judge and the zoning hearing board . . . Complete story »
Wind farm developer planning action against Hegins Twp. ruling
The president of the company that wants to build a large wind farm in western Schuylkill County said there is nothing wrong with the project and plans to take action on last week’s decision by the Hegins Twp. Zoning Hearing Board. [rest of article available at source] Complete story »
Pa. court grants turbine appeal
An appeals court judge has ruled that Penn Forest Township incorrectly rejected plans for a wind farm on watershed land owned by the Bethlehem Authority. Developer Atlantic Wind and the authority appealed a May 2020 decision in Carbon County Court of Common Pleas. The court had upheld the Penn Forest Township Zoning Hearing Board’s January 2019 decision to reject the application for 28 nearly 600-foot-tall wind turbines. After hearing arguments in the case last month, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne E. . . . Complete story »
