Press Release:

DEP ISSUES PERMIT FOR WAYMART WIND FARM IN WAYNE COUNTY

Largest wind energy project in PA will generate 60 megawatts of green electricity

CARBONDALE TOWNSHIP, Lackawanna County (Jan. 26) </B>-- Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary David E. Hess today announced that the department has issued a water-quality permit allowing the construction of the Waymart Wind Farm in Canaan and Clinton townships, Wayne County.

“Pennsylvania is a national leader in the development of renewable and green-power sources because of our successful electric-deregulation program,” Secretary Hess said. “The Waymart Wind Farm is the latest example of how these energy projects also are bringing millions of dollars of investment to the Commonwealth.”

The 60-megawatt wind farm, which will be operated by National Wind Power of Oakland, Calif., will be the largest wind-energy project in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the eastern United States.

“Not only did the company meet all of the water-quality permit requirements, but National Wind Power has agreed to establish a unique partnership with DEP and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to protect ecologically sensitive areas near the project,” Secretary Hess said.

National Wind Power will continue to work with DCNR as part of its permit obligations to configure the project to preserve and protect sensitive ecological areas. The company also has made a commitment of $100,000 over seven years to purchase and preserve environmentally important land in and around the project area.

The $60 million project includes up to 47 wind-powered turbines located in two separate property areas on 858 acres divided by Route 6. The turbine array will generate up to 60 megawatts. National Wind Power worked in conjunction with Orion Energy LLC of Oakland, Calif., to develop this project.

Secretary Hess was joined today by David Butterworth, National Wind Power’s head of International Business Development, at a scenic overlook on Casey Highway to announce this major renewable energy project. State, county and local officials also were in attendance.

Pennsylvania is now home to more than 94 megawatts of wind energy generating capacity in wind farms in Fayette, Somerset and Wayne counties.

The Ridge-Schweiker Administration led the push for electric competition and, in December 1996, former Gov. Tom Ridge signed the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission now reports nearly $4 billion in savings to date for Pennsylvania consumers. Nearly 120,000 Pennsylvanians now use cleaner and greener forms of power, more than any other state.

For more information on water-quality permits or renewable energy, visit the PA PowerPort at http://www.state.pa.us Keywords: “water quality” or “energy.”