Support Wind Development in Penn Forest
The pollution caused by fossil fuel burning, such as some natural gas and coal-fired power plants nearby has had devastating impacts on the health of residents and the environment by contributing to climate disruption. Growing up in the coalfields and living surrounded by fracking operations I am experiencing these impacts. Currently, I purchase bottled water because the water from the tap is not safe to drink and I will be purchasing an air filter to keep my soon-to-be-born daughter safe from air pollution. It's time for Pennsylvania to move off old, dirty and outdated coal and gas and into renewable energy. Carbon County has an opportunity to protect the land and wildlife surrounding it in addition to provide new, renewable energy to residents through an 150-acre wind development. The project, which would provide over 80 megawatts of electricity to the area, has been slammed by opposition, but for all of the wrong reasons.
The Sierra Club has always supported the protection of the natural environment and its inhabitants. Studies have shown that the death of birds and bats due to wind development is incredibly small compared to the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to fossil fuel pollution every year. For example there is a new coal refuse disposal project in my community that will fill in a 2,000-acre valley and destroy acres of bat and bird habitat, including a known bat maternity colony. While some worry about noise issues, the wind turbines cannot lawfully exceed 45 decibels, equal to the ambient noise level of a suburban neighborhood and quieter than rain.
There are many nearby environmental justice communities whose health is significantly suffering from fossil fuel extraction. We need to take every step possible to move toward renewable energy. It's time for Pennsylvania to do its part to protect future generations and the environment from climate disruption and wind development in Carbon County can help make that a reality.
Veronica Coptis
Pennsylvania Sierra club Chapter Chairwoman
