Lower Frederick Township Mulling Alternative Energy Ordinance

Lower Frederick is considering an ordinance that will regulate the use of solar panels and wind turbines for commercial and residential power according to township officials.

The Lower Frederick Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to advertise the alternative energy ordinance, which will allow for public comment on the ordinance.

Currently there are very vague regulations for the use of alternative energy sources for both commercial and residential power, and Township Chairman Ernest Schmitt said if this ordinance is passed, it will clear up any questions on the issue and give specific guidelines for what is allowed and what is not.

The ordinance is intended to give the township control over the specifics of any alternative energy process—for example, the height of a wind turbine or its distance from a property line—but it is also intended to make it easier for residents to obtain these permits.

Currently, all alternative energy matters are controlled by electrical and building codes, making it difficult for the township to oversee the process and for residents to understand what is allowed.

Upcoming events in Lower Frederick Township:

Concert in the Park—Thursday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. at Coble Park

Nordic Walk—Saturday, Aug. 27, $5 per class

Hot Rods for Hope Presents: Cruisin’ For a Cause car show— Saturday, Sept. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. at Coble Park. All donations benefits Wyeth Daring, a local boy who suffers from a condition that requires him to have a special cooling vest.