Pennsylvania Wind Farms

[AllanY2525]

Every time I take a drive up to Youngstown on the Pennsylvania Turnpike,
I pass a set of these wind turbines - there are five of them sitting atop
several hills close to the turnpike.

The largest wind turbine I have read about stands just over 700 feet tall,
and it can produce enough electricity for about five THOUSAND homes.
That is basically enough to power a small town of about 20 thousand
people (assuming 4 people per home).

With newer and more efficient wind technology coming out all the time,
wind power is getting better and better. 

Now they have compact, roof-top turbines that use some type of metal
vanes to concentrate the power of the wind as it blows into the turbine.
This allows the compact turbines to generate power even at very low
wind speeds.

If the city were to place these smaller turbines atop the tallest buildings
downtown, they could take a considerable chunk out of their monthly
electric bill (ie: lighting the streets, public buildings, etc) and maybe even
sell excess electricity back to the public power grid and make a few bucks.

I think Youngstown is missing out on a LOT of government grant money that
it could be using to build plants that would manufacture these turbines,
as well as solar panels.

We still have working railroads and trains that come through the area - which
would be a viable means of transporting wind turbines and solar panels made
here in the Mahoning Valley to destinations all over the country.

The photo below shows "Solar Lilly Pads" - which could be floated in the
Mahoning River to generate electricity, with little or no impact on the
environment.

[Towntalk]

Clearfield Couny also produces ethanol with two plants in Clearfield and another in Curvinsville.

[irishbobcat]

towntalk,,,,,

thanks for the articles....

[Rick Rowlands]

I was just watching a vidoe on Youtube last night complaining about the sound these windmills make when running.  I've lived near rail lines, highways, along the flight path of the Vienna airport etc. and every time I have adapted to the ambient sounds of the location.    I wouldn't mind living near one of these, I think they are fascinating. 

[Towntalk]

Wind farms: Local writer visits one

http://www.leader-vindicator.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20350682&BRD=2758&PAG=461&dept_id=572984&rfi=6

Is wind energy a viable alternative?

http://www.leader-vindicator.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20340873&BRD=2758&PAG=461&dept_id=572984&rfi=6


NOTE TO DENNIS: Both articles ARE pro-windfarms telling about projects just 150 miles from Youngstown.