Spanish
wind power developer Gamesa, Inc., citing uncertain federal wind power subsidies,
has announced cancellation of a proposed 22,000 acre, 60 megawatt 30 turbine
wind farm on Shaffer Mountain near Central City, Pennsylvania. Gamesa had been
pushing forward with development of the proposed wind farm, even in the face of
environmental opposition from a threatened lawsuit challenging U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service approval of the project, based on the alleged impact of the turbines on
populations of an endangered species of Indiana bats which migrate through the
area.
Congressional
inaction on reauthorization of tax credits for wind power development is
costing jobs in both the manufacturing and construction sectors of our economy,
and the job losses in the renewable power sector will continue until Congress
acts. The failure of our political leaders to even take up legislative measures
on this important issue reflects poorly on both political parties.
