Pa. officials attempt to woo wind energy plant

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- State officials are negotiating with a Spanish wind energy manufacturer to build a plant that could create nearly 400 jobs.
"The deal isn't sealed. We still have work to do," Kathleen A. McGinty, secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection told The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown.
Gamesa officials expected to visit the region in early March, said McGinty. Gamesa manufactures wind turbines and operates wind farms.
The company is also looking at the Lehigh Valley, Scranton, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, according to Eugene DePasquale, deputy secretary for community revitalization. Canada is also being considered.
"Obviously our first priority is to get them to Pennsylvania. But it would be a big win for Johnstown. It's looking very good for them coming to Pennsylvania," DePasquale said.
State and local officials plan to show vacant sites -- such as Bethlehem Steel's old machine shop -- as potential locations for the company, said Mike Kane, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies executive director.
McGinty said Johnstown's vacant mills could be a draw.
"They will need a facility that is fairly expansive," McGinty said. "These are huge operations. You literally need an aircraft hangar."