EBENSBURG – Even a county judge attended Cambria Township’s workshop Monday on allowing, even encouraging, individual wind turbines to generate electricity for home use.
“We do have an energy problem we have to face,” Judge Timothy Creany told township supervisors.
Saying he and his wife have been talking about possibly moving from Ebensburg Borough to a more rural setting, Creany praised supervisors for taking steps to allow residential windmills.
“But the permit fee shouldn’t be prohibitive. And maybe you shouldn’t have a fee at all in order to encourage use,” he said.
Others in attendance agreed.
“We want to be progressive here in the township,” resident Jim Harteis said.
“With energy costs what they are, we’ll be revisiting these types of devices,” he said.
Next the proposal goes to the township Planning Commission, which has been charged with recommending a path forward.
It will meet at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the township building, and the session is open to the public.
“You won’t see these things popping up everywhere because they’re expensive,” said commission Chairman Dennis Simmers, who also expressed support for encouraging windmills.
“There are other states that are reimbursing folks,” he said.
Simmers also said that, using a 75-foot tall model – with a setback requirement of 11/2 times its height – a little more than an acre would be required to install a residential wind turbine.
Legislatively, rules for residential windmills are in the form of a proposed amendment to the township’s commercial wind turbine ordinance.
Solicitor Dennis Govachini stressed that the zoning ordinance and other laws still would be applicable and that the turbines would be allowed as “accessory uses.”
Two issues remain to be resolved by the Planning Commission and then supervisors, Govachini said.
“Maybe we should consider an amendment to allow selling any excess power ‘on the grid’, and maybe the proposed fee is too high,” he said.
Local News
Workshop encourages turbine use, proposes limits
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
