House Resolution 925 (Rapp-R-Forest) directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the impact of wind turbines, as compared to coal, natural gas, oil and nuclear power, in Pennsylvania, in particular on migratory birds and of forest removal was adopted by the House 181 to 11 Wednesday.

The Resolution originally dealt only with wind power, but was amended in the House Environmental Resources Committee Monday by Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the Committee, to include a comparison between wind energy and other sources such as coal, natural gas nuclear and oil.

“With the ever-growing number of reports confirming that on-shore wind energy facilities are directly responsible for the clearing of large areas of forested land and the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, endangered bats and even eagles, we can no longer just assume that wind turbines are absolutely harmless to our environment or even a viable source of alternative energy,” said Rep. Kathy Rapp. “The time has come for a comprehensive, reality-based study and report on the actual impact of wind turbines across the Commonwealth. Today’s final passage of House Resolution 925 will ensure that the necessary research is conducted before these and other negative impacts on Pennsylvania’s wildlife and natural resources become irreversible.”

The factors to be analyzed include—

-- Number of wind turbines operating in Pennsylvania and their owners;

-- Agencies that oversee the operation of wind turbines;

-- Sources and amounts of subsidies for wind turbines;

-- Wind turbines’ imprint acreage and effects on wildlife; and

-- Wind turbines impact on the electric grid.

The Resolution does not require action by the Senate.

9/22/2014