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Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16919
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: January 26, 2015 01:28 PM
From: Senator John N. Wozniak
To: All Senate members
Subject: Wind Farm
 
In the near future I plan on introducing legislation that would allow for the leasing of land within the Gallatzin State Forest for alternative energy companies.

There is already a company operating the Highland Wind Farm in Adams Township, Cambria County. The wind farm began operation in 2008 and is located on a reclaimed strip mine land and a native forest encompassing 2100 acres. The wind farm will generate over $20 million in taxes to the state and local townships over its lifetime. It employs 8 full time workers to operate and maintain the wind farm. The operations and maintenance requires approximately $2 million in local goods and services.

There is a second wind farm being constructed adjacent to the Highland project which will generate an additional $20 million in revenue to the state, local townships, and Forest Hills School District over its lifetime; in addition to 2 more full time employees and 60 new construction jobs.

The third phase would include the land referenced in this legislation.
This tract of land would be leased from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for approximately 20 to 25 additional wind turbines. This land was previously used as a strip mine and currently supports very little vegetation and tree growth. It is the perfect site to utilize state land for clean, renewable energy.

Under the language of this bill, the land would be leased for not more than 50 years. Additionally, it takes the authorization powers of the lease from DCED and assigns it to the Department of Forestry by amending Act 28, 1923.

The bill was introduced last session as SB 684 and was co-sponsored by Senators Tartaglione, Fontana, Vulakovich, and Smith.

If you have any questions please contact Josh Myers of my staff at 787-5400 or by email to jmyers@pasenate.com. Thank you for your consideration.