SOMERSET, Pa. — A wind turbine development planned for southern Somerset County received a financial boost Thursday with the announcement of a $12.7 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
The Twin Ridges Wind Farm is an Everpower Wind Holdings Inc. project planned for Northampton, Southampton, Larimer and Greenville townships.
The 68-turbine farm has a $239 million price tag.
“It (the grant) really is a significant factor in our decision to build in Pennsylvania,” said Jim Spencer, Everpower president and CEO.
“In a tough power market, this really tips the scales for Pennsylvania.”
The profit margin in power generation has been impacted by the low natural gas prices brought on by a mild winter and glut on the market due to development of the Marcellus Shale, Spencer said.
Everpower walked away with the lion’s share of the grants announced by DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker and approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
It was one of six projects statewide approved for a total grants allocation of $13.8 million through the state’s Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, and Alternative and Clean Energy Program.
When completed, Twin Ridges will be the largest wind farm in the state, generating 20 percent of the state’s total wind power.
Somerset County Commissioner John Vatavuk said the real economic benefit to the county comes during the construction phase, which is set to get under way in the spring.
“It will put money into the region’s economy. There will be spin-offs like concrete from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. and truck driving jobs hauling shale,” he said.
Other clean-energy projects were approved for Adams, Allegheny, Bucks, Chester and Franklin counties.
Earlier this week it was announced that a Connecticutbased multienergy company will build the Patton Wind Farm, another initiative of Everpower.
The 15-wind turbine project will be designed and built by Gamma Renewable Power LLC of Rocky Hill, Conn., on land stretching across parts of Elder, West Carroll and East Carroll townships.
Headquartered in New York with offices in Pittsburgh and Bellefontaine, Ohio, Everpower is the owner-operator of the Highland Wind Farm in Adams Township and the North Highland Wind Farm in Adams and Summerhill townships.
Local News
$12.7 million going toward Pennsylvania wind farm
Project gets state grant
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Local lawmakers’ bills set for committee hearings in Annapolis
