Policy Makers Discuss Green Energy; Two Wind Farms Planned For Huntingdon County

Dozens of Huntingdon County residents turned out to hear testimony from wind energy experts at the House Republican Policy Committee hearing in Three Springs Friday morning.

State legislators questioned representatives of Gamesa USA and Iberdrola Renewables about the advantages and drawbacks of erecting high-tech wind turbines in Pennsylvania.

At Friday’s hearing, WJAC-TV confirmed with E.ON Climate and Renewables that multiple landowners have been contacted about leasing land for a wind turbine project.

"We're looking at the Shade Mountain and Tuscarora Mountain. Each mountain top would probably get around 40 turbines. It could go up; it could go down, depending on the permitting process,” said E.On Development Manager Scott Pinkham.

Despite brining jobs and an economic boost to the area, Pinkham told WJAC-TV that many people are raising concerns.

“There are of course some people who are against it. We’re going to try and do good development,” said Pinkham. “We’re not going to come in and just do what we want. We feel like we’re giving a fair deal and we’re going to follow the rules and the regulations of the state, country and the townships.”

Shirley Township resident Jeffery Morgan sat through the hearing, but was disappointed with answers from the energy company representatives.

"That's one of the reasons why I wanted to come here today, to try and find out a little more,” said Morgan. “They’re very good at telling us what they want to say."

Rep. Mike Fleck told WJAC-TV that he does support renewable energy growth but is unsure about the proposed turbine projects in Huntingdon County.

"I love that it's clean energy. I don't know that we need to blow off the tops of our mountains to have it,” said Fleck. “Would I want to look at them? Probably not.”

Save Our Allegheny Ridges Chairwoman Laura Jackson said after extensive research, she is urging community leaders to oppose turbine construction.

"I used to believe in renewable energy. I had that faith as an environmental science teacher,” said Jackson. ”I promoted wind energy and solar energy, but then when I started looking at the facts and I could see that wind is not going to replace. It's not effective. They've bought into this whole belief system, but they don't have the facts to back it up."

Officials said testimony from today’s hearing will be used to guide future wind energy legislation.