PORTAGE — Construction of the 35 windmills in the second phase of what will be one of Pennsylvania’s largest wind farms is completed and should be in operation before the end of the year, an official with Gamesa Energy USA said.
News of the anticipated startup comes as sound experts working on behalf of Portage Township completed the study setting the level of the existing – ambient – noise at and near North Allegheny Wind Farm, which is adding nine turbines to the skyline in the Blue Knob area of the township.
Most of the remainder of the turbines in the second phase are located in Juniata Township, Blair County. However, four are in Washington Township, Cambria County.
“All the towers are up and we hope to commence operation in mid-December. We’re testing the towers now,” said Doug Copeland, Gamesa project developer for the Allegheny farm.
A third phase, tentatively called North Allegheny, is still in the planning stages, Copeland said. “There’s nothing formalized yet as far as location of the towers. We’re still kicking around the details,” he said.
The Portage Township sound study was completed at a cost of just under $6,000 by Mountain Research of Altoona with assistance from acoustical engineers with LFR Inc. of California. Local officials agreed to pay for the study in the hopes of providing documentation of noise levels before the second phase of windmills start operating.
It was promoted by complaints from township residents concerned that turbines from the first phase of the project at times produce noise levels greater than the
45 decibels spelled out in the ordinance adopted three years ago.
Completed over a three-day period in September, the study in the northern end of the township attempted to document the sound at differing times of day and varying weather and wind conditions. The conclusion is that the ambient noise levels are reasonable.
“The baseline data is in and we have something to go by,” Supervisor Ken Trimbath said.
The study reflects noise levels as low as 30 decibels and reached a high of 45 decibels at times.
Once the towers are operational, the experts will be brought back to again test the levels, township Solicitor C.J. Webb said.
“That study will include the noise of the windmills. It will be evaluated by the experts and we’ll know what the windmills add,” Webb said. “The experts must determine what is the actual noise level of the windmill noise.”
The group conducting the study was agreed upon by the township, Gamesa, developers Allegheny Ridge and Babcock & Brown, which purchased the first phase.
Local News
Windfarm soon will be up and running
- Local News
-
-
Richland manufacturer showcases expansion
Business and government leaders gathered Monday at a Richland Township manufacturing company to celebrate the expansion of its export business, made possible through some cooperative government programs.
-
New jury to hear Blair case
The 12 jury members and two alternates chosen nearly a month ago to decide the fate of Nicholas Adam Horner were excused on Monday by Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva.
-
Blogging with heart
Launching into the second week of American Heart Month, I'm looking at stories on the leading-edge treatment options and how local heart specialists are helping patients live longer.
-
Marijuana bust: Police seeking runaway seize dozens of pot plants
City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
-
Former speaker convicted
A jury on Monday convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers’ resources for political purposes.
-
‘Dramatic’ Pa. budget cuts expected
Top state senators say they expect Gov. Tom Corbett to propose a budget plan today that relies on cuts in spending for education and social services to balance sluggish tax collections and the rising costs of pensions and debt.
-
ACRP seeks partners for neighborhood gardens
A few years ago, the Alternative Community Resource Program and its partners planted a garden alongside Napoleon Street in a move to fill both hungry stomachs and a need for neighborhood rejuvenation.
-
‘Hope for the future’: Workshops offer confidence boost to cancer patients
Chances are when you look good you feel better about yourself.
-
Police Roundup: Martindale man accused of trying to enter cars at Portage dealership
A Portage-area man has been charged with criminal attempt at theft after state police said he was discovered trying to enter three vehicles in the parking lot of Stager’s Chevrolet.
-
In brief: Fire destroys windmill turbine
Fire destroyed a windmill turbine at the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm on top of the mountain in Blair County between Blue Knob and Lilly on Monday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
