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Wind Farm To Generate Power For 10,000 Homes

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Oct 16, 2008 5:57 pm US/Eastern

Wind Farm To Generate Power For 10,000 Homes

GARRETT (KDKA) ― Local and state officials cut the ribbon today on the new Casselman Wind Power Project near Garrett, the latest wind farm to be built along the Allegheny Ridge in Somerset County.

The project is expected to generate enough clean, renewable electricity to power 10,000 homes in the tri-state area.

Eight of the 23 wind turbines that are part of the Casselman project are built above an old coal mine, an irony not lost on proponents of wind's cleaner, environmentally friendly aspects.

"Wind energy is a great resource" said Gary Leidich, executive vice president of FirstEnergy, which will buy the electricity generated by the facility. "When the wind blows we get the energy and there's no coal and all of the ancillary things that come with it so from that perspective it's very environmentally friendly."

Don Furman, a senior vice president of Iberdrola Renewables, the project developer, admits that there are still environmental concerns.

"You can't generate energy without having some impact on the environment and our company is no exception," said Furman.

Chief among them are concerns among wildlife experts that wind farms disrupt the migratory patterns of birds and kill bats. It's why Iberdrola is allowing scientists from Bat Conservation International to study the facility, including an experiment aimed at determining whether turning off windmills during times when bats are most active will make a difference.

Ed Arnett, principal wildlife investigator for BCI, praised Iberdrola for allowing scientists so much access. "This research is critical for assessing risk at new wind facilities and our experience here at Casselman will resonate across the country and worldwide quite honestly."

Landowners whose property is being leased for the project were also complimentary of Iberdrola. Landowner Judy Pletcher admitted that they were skeptical at first, but company officials were able to overcome their skepticism. "We are proud as landowners to be part of alternative fuel resources. We hope this is one of the beginnings for alternative fuels for our country," said Pletcher.

Governor Ed Rendell, who attended the ribbon cutting, said he is pleased that Pennsylvania continues to be on the forefront of developing alternative energy resources.

"We're challenged to produce energy in the future that is cheaper and is environmentally friendly and can be produced here in the United States," said Rendell, whose Energy Development Authority supported the project with a half-million dollar grant.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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