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Oct 13, 2008 10:50 pm US/Eastern
Pennsylvania A Player In Wind Energy
(KDKA)
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Each one is taking advantage of a broad wind channel originating in the West Virginia panhandle and sweeping across our mountains and valleys.
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They hardly make a sound, rising 215 feet out of the corn and soybeans, spinning 230 feet in diameter.
The six wind turbines at a Somerset County dairy farm cut an imposing sight across the skyline but the cows don't seem to pay them any mind.
Bob Will said "yes" eight years ago when energy executives asked to erect the turbines and he's been reaping a duel harvest ever since. In addition to milk and wheat, Will gets a percentage of the profits.
In the past decade, Pennsylvania has become a major player in wind energy with nine major wind farms. Eight of them are on this end of the state, including the newest one called Casselman just over the ridge from Will's farm.
Each one is taking advantage of a broad wind channel originating in the West Virginia panhandle and sweeping across our mountains and valleys.
The turbines convert the wind into mechanical energy which becomes electrical energy. Together with a sister farm at Mill Run in Fayette County, Will's farm produces enough energy to power 8,200 homes.
Still, some say that's just a drop in the bucket.
Other energy producers say that the wind and the sun will fall short in meeting our energy challenges. Steve Windber of coal giant Consol says they're destined to be the smaller players in the energy picture.
But expect to see more turbines both big and small, like the one proposed by a new Allison Park company to light ball fields in Green Tree.
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