Wind energy gathers speed in state

centredaily.com
Posted on Tue, Sep. 26, 2006

Clean, renewable source gains fans...

The wind turbine outside the state Department of Environmental Protection's Moshannon Valley office spins enough to supply energy to about a third of the building.

In other parts of Pennsylvania, large-scale wind farms are popping up as companies and people look for energy that's clean and renewable. The state has even set a long-term goal: 18 percent of the energy companies sell to retail customers must be from alternative sources such as waste coal and wind power.

The growing interest in turning wind into energy has prompted the Penns Valley Conservation Association and Penns Valley Joint Planning Commission to host an informational forum starting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Penns Valley Area High School.

Michael Arthur, an association board member who helped organize the event, said the idea behind the forum is to present the pros and cons of wind farms and information on small wind turbines. The area's ridge tops, Arthur noted, would be candidates for development of large wind fields.

At least one company looked into bringing wind turbines to the area. The forum will also have information for municipal governments, which might have to deal with regulating wind turbines.

Kerry Campbell, energy program specialist with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said that of the 18 percent alternative energy that has to be sold by 2021, almost half must come from true renewable sources including wind, solar and low-impact hydropower.

"Of that 18 percent, we expect wind to capture a really good portion," Campbell said.

Campbell will give one of the presentations at the forum, which will start with exhibits on solar hot water, green design and small wind turbines and systems. Bill Syrett, manager of the Penn State Weather Center, Pamela Denlinger, CEO of renewable energy company Solairenergy Inc., and Tim Schaeffer, executive director of Audubon Pennsylvania, will also speak.

Parts of Pennsylvania already have large wind turbines, which can be close to 400 feet tall and have blades about 260 feet across. Some view them as unsightly and have concerns about noise, wildlife and breaking up forested land.

The Pennsylvania Wind Working Group notes that some like the way wind farms look and they provide renewable energy without pollution. Ann Glaser, conservation association liaison to the Planning Commission, said the forum will also include information about small turbines, which can reduce pollution and bring economic savings.

Mike Smith, DEP Moshannon District mining manager, said in the past three months the wind turbine has produced 3,240 kilowatt hours of electricity and is expected to produce more in the windy, winter months.

It supplies energy to a third of the building and more on windy days. The turbine has the added appeal of charging a back-up battery that keeps the building operating during power outages. "It's worked great," he said. "It really generates a lot of power. We've been very happy with it."