Question:

On I-76 near Sommerset tell me about the windmills?
Who owns them? Do they provide electricity? Are they controversial? I belive there are 6 of them

Answers:

A-Best: There are 6 large wind turbines that can be seen from the PA Turnpike near Somerset. There is a cluster of about 20 more further south near the MD and WV border. The ones you see from the turnpike are operated by Exelon and recently the Turnpike Commission agreed to buy electrical power from these turbines to power up the nearby exit and rest stop. Each of these wind turbines is capable of generating 1500 kilowatts of power. The wind projects combine to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 8,000 homes. Each turbine stands atop a tower that is approximately 210 feet high. Each of its 3 blades is more than 115 feet long. When the wind on the ridge reaches 8 miles an hour, it begins turning the blades in a circular motion, driving an electric generator inside the turbine. When the wind speed reaches about 30 miles an hour, the turbine is producing its maximum amount of electricity. It continues to generate power at this rate until the wind speeds exceed 55 miles per hour, at which time the turbine will turn itself off for safety purposes. If you were holding onto the tip of a blade when it was moving at full speed, you would be spinning in a circle at more than 165 miles per hour! There has recently been some controversy as to the growth of these wind farms. Some residents complain that they are noisy and produce visual shadows on their property.  

A: People with money own them, Yes they do yes go count them and see for sure.