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PA Building New Energy Economy With Cambria County Wind Farm
Adams Township PA (SPX) Apr 22, 2008 A former Cambria County strip mine that has since been reclaimed will soon be home to 25 wind turbines generating enough power to meet the needs of 16,000 homes, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said as she helped to break ground on the Highland wind project. According to the secretary, the $140 million effort shows Pennsylvanias leadership in clean, renewable energy development and will bring with it additional economic and environmental benefits. Years ago, the indigenous coal resources from this site helped to power Pennsylvania and the nation, said McGinty. Soon, well use another indigenous resource on this site to meet our energy needs -- clean, renewable wind. Pennsylvania is a leader in developing and deploying wind technology. With the price for conventional fossil fuels at record levels, wind is becoming increasingly cost-effective. This project, once its online, will provide a dependable source of power for our homes and our businesses. The Highland wind project, which is being developed by EverPower Renewables, is expected to be online later this year and could produce more than 164,000 megawatt hours of power annually. And, because wind power is free of emissions, the project will prevent 400 million pounds of carbon dioxide -- a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change -- from reaching the atmosphere. Removing that amount of carbon dioxide is the equivalent of taking 19,000 cars off the road annually, according to EverPowers calculations. The developer has signed a wind energy voluntary agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The agreements were designed to avoid, minimize and potentially mitigate any adverse impacts the development of wind energy may have on the state's wildlife resources. While the agreements are voluntary, wind developers are required to prove that projects will not harm the commonwealths plant and animal species. Before DEP issues any permit on a project that may affect a rare species or habitat, developers are required to search the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index. A Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index search can reveal whether a rare species has been documented on the project site or within a pre-selected distance from it. If a species is found, the permit applicant must work to resolve any potential impact the project may present. EverPower has been participating in the Pennsylvania Wind Farm and Wildlife Collaborative convened by Governor Edward G. Rendell to help develop wind energy in an environmentally responsible manner. We are very excited to be investing in Adams Township and Pennsylvania through the Highland Wind Project, said Jim Spencer, managing director of EverPower Renewables. In addition to providing a clean, renewable energy source to the community, we anticipate that 450 to 550 jobs will directly and indirectly be created from the construction and operation of the wind project. The township, county, and area school districts also will receive revenue each year in tax payments from the wind project. McGinty said Pennsylvania has attracted wind developers -- such as EverPower and some of the worlds largest clean energy developers and manufacturers, including Gamesa, Iberdrola and Conergy -- because of the states commitment to renewable energy. The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act requires that 18 percent of all energy generated in the state come from alternative and renewable sources by 2021. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of wind capacity are expected to be installed in the state by 2021. Pennsylvania currently has 293 megawatts of installed wind energy capacity; another 298 megawatts of capacity - including Highlands 65 megawatts - are expected to come online this year. Governor Rendell has called on the state Senate to pass separate pieces of legislation approved by the House of Representatives that would further spur the development of renewable energy in Pennsylvania, create 13,000 new jobs, reduce the states dependence on foreign oil, and save consumers $1 billion a year on energy costs. The House has passed: House Bill 1202 to replace nearly 1 billion gallons of imported fuels with homegrown alternatives; House Bill 2200 to provide smart meters to consumers that will help them conserve electricity and avoid peak rates; and Special Session House Bill 1 to invest $850 million to grow the states advanced energy sectors. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
PSE Announces Plan To Expand Wild Horse Wind Facility
Bellevue WA (SPX) Apr 21, 2008Puget Sound Energy has announced plans to expand its Wild Horse Wind Facility, located east of Ellensburg on Central Washington's Whisky Dick Mountain. PSE is proposing to add approximately 25 wind turbines to its Wild Horse operations in eastern Kittitas County, which currently has 127 turbines. The expansion would add a 1,400-acre parcel of land immediately to the north of the existing 9,150-acre site. |
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