Wind Farms Face New Restrictions

Some Somerset County residents say they've had enough of wind farms. Quemahoning Township has become the latest in the county to impose tighter restrictions on noise levels and on how close windmills can be to neighboring properties. Horizon Wind Energy told the Daily American newspaper that the new ordinance may alter its plans to build what would be the largest wind farm in the county.

Somerset County Commissioner John Vatavuk says townships have the right to impose stricter regulations on wind farms. The county has its own ordinance. Vatavuk says he personally feels that wind farms are a good source of green energy and a revenue generator for the county... but he understands that some people don't like them as neighbors. Aside from noise and setback issues, he says the windmills can create large shadows, harm bats and birds, and fling ice onto neighboring land.