ECONOMICS, POLITICS DRIVE WIND DEBATE

Twin uncertainties -- economics and politics - surround the industrial wind turbine controversy in Potter County as two separate developers plot their strategies while elected officials consider regulations.

No one can say for sure if, or when, the massive white structures will ever go up in those areas initially targeted by the wind industry, but the turbine debate has created a chasm that pits neighbor against neighbor, while turning up the heat on township and county leaders.

Economists have warned that the tightening of credit markets in recent weeks could stall the surge in renewable energy development, particularly industrial wind power and solar energy. Without sufficient capital available, arguments over turbine siting standards could be moot.

At least five townships are considering regulations at the same time the Potter County Board of Commissioners moves closer to releasing the draft of a countywide ordinance.

Apparently, any local measure that is less restrictive than the county's ordinance prevails. Therefore, each township has the power to adopt rules that are more accommodating to the wind turbine industry.

And that's just what Homer Township and, most recently, Hebron Township have done. Supervisors in each of those municipalities have passed ordinances that would allow wind turbines, which could be 410 feet or taller, to be built within 750 feet of a neighboring residence.

An early draft of the commissioners' ordinance calls for setbacks of 2,000 feet, or six times the height of the turbine, whichever distance is greater.

Both township ordinances and the county's proposal also impose limits on how much noise generated by an industrial turbine will be permissible at adjacent properties.

Sweden, Eulalia and Ulysses townships are also considering local wind energy ordinances.

Meanwhile, the Potter County Commissioners continue to receive input and inquiries from citizens on the status of the county's proposed regulations.

"At this time, the board is assessing scientific studies and other information recently presented, while reviewing testimony from the Sept. 11 public hearing," the commissioners reported on their website, news.pottercountypa.net.

They also invited two developers who have expressed an interest in developing industrial wind facilities in Potter County to this Thursday's commissioners' meeting for further discussions.

AES Corporation, an international energy giant, has blueprints calling for construction of 79 turbines on high-altitude farmland in Ulysses and Hector townships.

A separate plan, advanced by developer Mike Mulcahey of Port Allegany, has been less defined, but involves properties in Homer, Hebron, Sweden and Eulalia townships, near Coudersport.

Phone calls, emails and letters continue to arrive in the commissioners' office from citizens offering input on the proposed regulations, the board reported.

At their Sept. 25 meeting, the commissioners heard a detailed presentation from a Sweden Township resident, Martha Young, requesting longer setbacks of turbines from neighboring properties; escrow/buyout provisions for non-participating property owners who decide to sell their holdings because of the impact of the turbines on their quality of life; requirements on wind developers for job-creation and financial contributions to local governments, and other provisions. Young delivered to the commissioners a series of studies and other materials on industrial wind energy.

The commissioners said their goal is to conclude work on the draft wind energy ordinance soon, submit it to the Potter County Planning Commission for that group's input, and make it available for public review. That process will also include a date for the scheduled adoption of the ordinance.