Everpower is also developing the Buckeye I and Buckeye II wind farms in Champaign County.
“Hughey and Phillips is excited to work with Everpower Wind Holdings on the Patton Wind Farm,” said Jim Sullivan, vice president of sales for Hughey and Phillips. “We anticipate this will be the first of many projects that our two companies will collaborate on.”
The new contract will not mean new jobs for Hughey and Phillips, Sullivan said. But numerous projects both in the U.S. and overseas are likely to be built in the next two years, which could lead to more jobs in the future, he said.
The lights are used to alert aircraft and are described as “community friendly,” according to information from Hughey and Phillips. Unlike many other similar lights on the market, the lights used in the Pennsylvania project will be clearly visible to aircraft, but are designed so they do not disturb nearby homes that may be within the project area, Sullivan said.
Construction on the two Champaign County projects, which would include more than 100 turbines spread across six townships, could begin within a year. Some residents have raised concerns about safety and noise from the project, while supporters have touted the project’s potential economic benefits.
Everpower typically tries to work with local companies for its projects whenever feasible, said Dan Lagiovane, a spokesman for Everpower.
Delivery of the lights for the Pennsylvania project is expected to begin in September, according to information from Hughey and Phillips. The lights will be installed to illuminate the wind turbine generators, as required by the FAA.
“We are excited to be installing Hughey and Phillips lights at our Patton Wind Farm,” said Zach Morris, construction manager for the Patton Wind Farm. “The company is known for its quality and innovation, and we are also excited they are located in a community where we are developing additional wind farms.”
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