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For nearly six years, a battle has raged on Shaffer Mountain in northeastern Somerset County.
No longer.
It ended earlier this week when Gamesa Energy USA pulled the plug on its controversial plan to build a 30-turbine wind farm.
“Because of a combination of factors, including uncertainty surrounding federal policies, Gamesa has decided to halt development plans for its proposed Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm in Somerset County,” the company said in a statement sent to The Tribune-Democrat.
Undoubtedly it was an agonizing decision for Gamesa, which fought hard and invested much, met often with residents and officials and in public sessions, and presented good arguments, including in this newspaper.
For people such as opposition organizer Joseph Cominsky, it was a sweet victory.
“I feel great because of the fact that we went up against insurmountable odds,” Cominsky said upon hearing of Gamesa’s decision. “There is a pristine piece of wilderness that should be preserved and will be preserved.”
But not so sweet for Shaffer Mountain property owner Richard Bair, who said Gamesa’s decision to scrap the project will cost him as much as $750,000 over the next 30 years.
The debate covered topics such as alternative energy, jobs, an “exceptional value” trout stream, land blight and the risk to wildlife, including endangered Indiana bats.
Editorially, we chose the middle road, continually encouraging both sides to do their homework, talk and reach an agreement that all could live with.
Although some would disagree, it could be argued that is exactly what happened.
We’ll be eager to hear Gamesa’s future plans.
The wind won’t go away.
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