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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.
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 »
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 »
