Heffley bill would require voter approval for wind development projects

Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) recently introduced legislation that would require voter approval through a ballot referendum for proposed industrial wind development projects.

“I believe the feedback and approval of residents is important to obtain before the start of a windmill project that can have a huge impact on their daily lives,” Heffley said.

Heffley introduced House Bill 1734 in response to a plan by the Bethlehem Authority to construct 37 wind turbines on land it owns in Penn Forest Township.

The bill is part of a legislative package that includes three other measures. These bills would require the state auditor general to perform an audit of the authority’s practices, introduce a requirement that the auditor general perform an audit of the authority every five years to determine if it is operating most effectively and require municipal authorities to pay applicable taxes on all parcels of land they own and choose to develop. The taxes would be assessed at the most recent fair market value. Currently, the Bethlehem Authority can make payments instead of taxes.