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EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. (EverPower) is to build a wind farm in Summerhill Township, Pennsylvania, with around 27 turbines planned for north and east of Route 869 outside Beaverdale, Tribune-Democrat reported. The company is wheeling out Highland North wind farm as it planned to build additional nine turbines in Adams Township, where the first phase of that wind farm is located.
In total, the turbines are expected to generate 62 MW of electricity by summer 2011, which are enough to power 30,000 homes.
The first phase of the Highland North wind farm, which is situated off Dunlo Dip Road, has started producing electricity in 2009. The second phase of the wind farm is yet to get approval.
The company has already applied to the Cambria County Conservation District seeking the project’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which will later go to the state of Pennsylvania.
“The second half of the year, we hope to start bringing our stuff in,” said Mike Speerschneider, EverPower’s vice president of development.
“It should get approval a couple of months after that,” Speerschneider said.
Local officials have supported the project by saying that the turbines would bring economic benefits to the township. The Summerhill Township supervisors said they would receive around $3,000 a year in taxes and fees from each of the structures.
“We’re going to get as much as we can,” said Supervisor Earl Wherry. “It’s going to help out.”
A windmill ordinance is being developed, which would set limits for setbacks from homes and businesses and other elements engaged at minimizing impact on township residents.
“We met with our attorney on a windmill ordinance and he’s working on it now,” board Chairman Leland Bassett said.
Summerhill Township roads will not be used by the contractors to transport materials and blades to the site, but they can use a road in Portage Township. To seek approval for using one township-owned road, William Spencer, EverPower’s manager of development, and Speerschneider are lobbying with Portage Township officials. Indications are that the materials will be transported on a state road then onto Popish road and then through to Summerhill Township. If permitted, the company will be responsible for any damage to the 2,770 feet of Popish Road, and it may make improvements before the start of the project.
Some concerns have been raised by the Portage Township Supervisor James Kovach regarding the roads' inability to handle the weight of the trucks.
Spencer said that some turbines would be developed at property owned by Highland Sewer and Water Authority and the remaining on private land. But exact locations to build turbines are still in the planning stage.
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