Pennsylvania Wind Farm Powers 32,000 Homes on Former Coal Land

Twenty years of planning just came to life on a former Pennsylvania coal mine, where 19 massive wind turbines now generate enough electricity to power 32,000 homes.

Rogue's Wind officially opened Wednesday at Rock Run Recreation Area in Cambria County, transforming 6,200 acres of abandoned coal land into a 114-megawatt clean energy powerhouse. The project marks Competitive Power Ventures' third investment in the region, bringing their total Pennsylvania commitment to more than $1.5 billion.

The journey started in 2005 when local leaders learned a coal mining company was closing. Instead of leaving the land empty, they saw opportunity.

State Representative Gary Haluska worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to secure funding to purchase the property. By 2007, the site had already transformed into Rock Run Recreation Area, featuring 140 miles of ATV and dirt bike trails that now attract riders from 28 states.

But the vision didn't stop there. The original master plan always included wind energy development, though early attempts to build turbines fell through.

Everything changed in 2019 when Competitive Power Ventures joined the effort. "It was about getting the right people at the right place at the right time," said Cliff Kitner, executive director of the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority.

The wind farm has been operating since July, quietly generating clean power while recreation activities continue around it. County Commissioner Tom Chernisky says it proves outdoor recreation and renewable energy can coexist to build a stronger local economy.

The Ripple Effect

This project showcases how communities can rewrite their energy story without abandoning their past. The same land that once powered homes through coal now does it through wind, creating jobs and tax revenue along the way.

Local landowner Richard Johnston hosts one of the 19 turbines on his property, turning his land into an income source while contributing to Pennsylvania's clean energy future. Competitive Power Ventures CEO Sherman Knight says the company has multiple additional projects planned across the region.

The transformation took two decades, countless community meetings, and the dedication of people like Tom Strittmatter, a recreation authority board member who championed the wind project until his unexpected death in 2015. Wednesday's ribbon cutting honored his vision finally coming true.

From coal to trails to turbines, this Pennsylvania hillside keeps reinventing itself while keeping its community at the center of every change.