Developing the Sandy Ridge Wind Farm

Gamesa understands the effects of development and takes care to work in the most environmentally sound, ecologically sustainable manner. The Sandy Ridge wind farm proposes 25 windmills to generate 50 megawatts of clean electricity, which is enough to power about 15,000 homes. The majority of the project, which would encompass no more than 90 acres, is divided between Snyder Township in Blair County and Taylor Township in Centre County. Between 10 and 15 windmills would be on Tyrone Borough property on Ice Mountain, although design plans are still being finalized.

The Sandy Ridge project would use nine miles of existing roads and five miles of new road. Windmill foundations are only eight feet deep and 52 feet across. Gamesa proposes clearing only 0.8 acres around each turbine, minimizing impacts to the surrounding forest and watersheds, as well as a 60-foot-wide road and cable corridor between windmills. The permanent gravel road width between windmills would be reduced to 15 feet once construction is complete. All but the 15-foot-wide gravel portion of the 60-foot road and cable corridor would be replanted with a wildlife-friendly seed mixture to protect Pennsylvania’s rich hunting traditions.