1Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
2study and report on the scale and impact of wind turbines in
3this Commonwealth.

4WHEREAS, Wildlife conservation and energy efficiency should
5be major considerations in the development of viable sources of
6alternative energy; and

7WHEREAS, Wind turbines were once assumed to have no adverse
8environmental impacts, however, onshore wind energy facilities
9have been reported to kill thousands of bats and birds and
10require the clearing of large areas of land; and

11WHEREAS, Many onshore and offshore wind energy facilities are
12being planned and constructed without adequately considering the
13potential or actual effects on wildlife; and

14WHEREAS, Research and guidance are required before
15potentially negative impacts on wildlife become severe and
16irreversible; therefore be it

1RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
2State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on
3the use of wind turbines in this Commonwealth; and be it further

4RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission include
5in its study the number of wind turbines in this Commonwealth,
6who owns them, which agencies oversee wind turbines and what
7happens to them when they are decommissioned; and be it further

8RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission list
9sources and amounts of subsidies for wind turbines<-, as compared 
10to other sources of energy, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear 
11and oil; and be it further

12RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission include
13in its study wind turbines' imprint acreage and their effects on
14wildlife<-, as compared to other sources of energy, such as coal, 
15natural gas, nuclear and oil; and be it further

16RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
17wind turbines' impact on the electric grid; and be it further

<-18RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission review
19any current regulations, permit processes, setbacks, fees and
20end of life cycle disposal requirements related to wind energy
21required by the Department of Environmental Protection and other
22State agencies; and be it further

23RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
24on the progress of wind energy in relation to the act of
25November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative
26Energy Portfolio Standards Act; and be it further

27RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
28its findings to the Governor's office and the General Assembly
29within one year of the adoption of this resolution.