Your North East Township planning board and township supervisors are currently considering regulations affecting the placement of 500 foot tall, utility scale wind turbines in the township. The exact number of turbines that will be constructed if this project proceeds has not been determined, but estimates by the people involved range from 50 to 75.
What is the proposed location?
The boundaries for the project now being planned run from the west boundary of North East Township to the New York state line and along Townline Road to the south and Interstate 90 on the north, though some sections extend beyond the Interstate as far north as Sidehill Road. There is a small corridor of several hundred feet along both sides of Rte. 89 that is excluded.
What is the current status?
A number of landowners have already signed, and others are considering signing, leases for their property that will allow the construction of wind turbines. How many turbines can be located on any property will primarily be determined by the regulations now being written by the township and any other state or federal regulations that may apply.
A public meeting was just held where the broad outlines of the proposed regulations were briefly discussed, specifically, setback requirements from roads and property lines. A number of residents spoke voicing their concerns about the project, some noting the lack of information that has so far been made available.
What’s next?
Those directly involved in the project want to break ground on construction this year (2013). It is actively being pursued and everyone in North East township and the surrounding areas needs to be fully informed and aware of the impact these wind turbines will have on the residents of our community.
You cannot have an informed opinion without being informed. We will do our best to present as much information as possible on this website in a series of articles, but it is up to you to read and understand what is presented here. If you don’t understand, please ask questions and tell your friends and neighbors about this website, link to it from your Facebook pages and Twitter accounts and come to the township meetings so you can hear from others and be heard. Your input will help write the proposed regulations in a responsible manner. It’s our community, it really is up to us.