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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
CPV withdraws interest in windmill project on Laurel Ridge
Competitive Power Ventures no longer plans to pursue a project to install windmills on Laurel Ridge in Upper Yoder Township. The Maryland-based company had reached a lease agreement with Greater Johnstown Water Authority to explore the possibility of placing up to eight turbines on the mountain. But the company never officially signed the document. On Thursday, during a regular monthly GJWA meeting, the authority and state Rep. Frank Burns, D-72nd District, a critic of the project, said they both independently . . . Complete story »
Year in Review: Two turbine applications in Penn Forest Township
The battle over whether to build a wind turbine project in Penn Forest Township continued through 2018. During the course of 2018, both the Penn Forest Zoning Hearing Board and the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas heard testimony regarding the potential wind turbine operation. The first application, filed in April 2016, for 37 wind turbines, was deemed approved and is being challenged in court. The 525-foot turbines are being proposed to be built on property owned by the Bethlehem . . . Complete story »
Upper Yoder residents seeking help from Township to stop turbine project
In Cambria County, the Upper Yoder Township Supervisors meeting was packed tonight and most, if not all, in attendance are against a proposed wind turbine farm which could go up on Laurel Mountain. “The lease was approved in July. It was signed, they went to court and after the fact they held a meeting to discuss it with the public,” says state Rep. Frank Burns. “That is what the public has a problem with and that is what I have . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine project denied
PENN FOREST TWP., Pa. – It was standing-room-only in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County. No more testimony, just dozens of people waiting to hear one response from the zoning board which was that Atlantic Wind’s application had been denied. The unanimous decision brought applause from the crowd. Atlantic Wind proposed building more than 20 wind turbines on 260 acres of land owned by the Bethlehem Authority. The turbines would have been on the ridges above the reservoir and also close . . . Complete story »
Penn Forest Township denies wind turbine application
PENN FOREST TWP., Pa. – After months of public hearings on a special exception application for 28 wind turbines in Penn Forest Township, the township’s zoning hearing board voted to deny the application of Atlantic Wind LLC. Residents of Penn Forest Township packed the municipal building to hear the long-awaited decision from the township zoning hearing board. The application was staunchly opposed by residents who believed the turbines would pose environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Residents helped fund a legal challenge . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine application denied by Penn Forest Township
PENN FOREST TWP., Pa. – The winds of change won’t be blowing through Penn Forest Township, Carbon County as the zoning board denies an application of a company for the second time. The issue has been debated for the last two years and one resident says the decision means it will be a good Christmas. The company, Atlantic Wind, wanted to build 27 to 28 wind turbines on the land owned by the Bethlehem Water Authority. “There was not maybe . . . Complete story »
Zoners reject turbine proposal for land surrounding Bethlehem’s reservoirs
A Carbon County community rejected an application for 28 power-producing turbines on the rural ridges surrounding Bethlehem’s water supply. The Penn Forest Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously on Monday against granting a special exception for the project on 260 acres of land near Hatchery Road, also known as Reservoir Road. The land is part of the 23,000 acres in Carbon and Monroe counties that is owned by the Bethlehem Authority, the financial arm of the city’s water business. “The Zoning . . . Complete story »
Tilting at windmills: Water authority mulls ways to generate $20M for upgrades
The Greater Johnstown Water Authority anticipates soon needing to make about $20 million in Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection-mandated upgrades to North Fork Dam and Dalton Run Dam. Chairman Don Hall II said the board will try to acquire PennVEST and USDA Rural Utilities Service funding. But that money would need to be repaid. So, the authority is looking at ways to generate revenue, including the possibility of developing a windmill farm on the section of Laurel Ridge that, if . . . Complete story »
Wind farm foes speak against project
More than 160 attendees and presenters participated in a town hall on Wednesday during which opposition to a proposed wind turbine farm on Upper Yoder Township’s section of Laurel Ridge was the overriding publicly expressed sentiment. Last month, the Greater Johnstown Water Authority received permission from the Cambria County courts to change the deed for the land and enter into a lease agreement with Competitive Power Ventures to possibly develop the project that could include 12 windmills. State Rep. Frank . . . Complete story »
Wind farm would harm tourism industry
For years, I’ve heard that our natural resources and their beauty are this region’s greatest asset. Tourism in Cambria and Somerset counties is growing because of our vast outdoor recreation opportunities – hiking and biking trails, hunting and fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, skiing and snowmobiling to name a few. In many cases, outdoor recreation is the only reason people from urban areas such as Pittsburgh come to Cambria or Somerset counties. But now, the Greater Johnstown Water Authority wants to . . . Complete story »
