Montco 2040:
a shared vision
With the Limerick nuclear power plant and Montgomery County Waste to Energy Plant producing large amounts of electricity,
Montgomery County meets its current and future needs. There might be demand for small natural gas power plants designed
to meet short-term peak load or other specific needs, and these should be located on large properties with few environmental
constraints in industrial areas with access to cooling water, natural gas transmission lines, and the power grid.
Because of its limited environmental impact, small scale renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, should be
installed around the county in appropriate locations. Local municipalities should adopt ordinances allowing renewable energy and
can use guiding ordinances prepared by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission in cooperation with the county.
Currently, the county is crossed by a variety of electric transmission line corridors and petroleum or gas pipelines. Creation
of new corridors should be avoided; however, it is conceivable that upgrades and expansions to existing corridors might
happen, possibly for new pipelines shipping natural gas from upstate Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia region. In these cases,
construction should be done with as minimal an impact on the natural environment and nearby development as possible.
The communications world has changed dramatically over the past twenty years, and this transformation is expected
to continue. Because communication it so important to the economy, the county encourages innovative high-speed
communications systems to be installed in key commercial and industrial locations. The major issue with communications is
tower siting and design. Whenever feasible, new communication antennae should be attached to existing taller structures, such
as buildings, smoke stacks, water towers, or other communications towers. In addition, the design and color of new towers
should blend into the surrounding, and towers should have as little an impact on neibhboring properties as possible. Towers
should also be the minimum height necessary to achieve the required broadcasting objectives and placed in locations that
minimize their impact on the surrounding community.
■■ Reduction in county
energy costs
■■ Incorporation of renewable
energy for county needs
■■ Municipalities adopting
new ordinance
standards for energy and
communication uses
■■ Municipalities
incorporating sustainable
practices into their
operations
Measuring success
These wind turbines in Pottstown help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy conservation, helped by tools like the new smart meters, can help
even more.
Electric vehicle charging station at the Montgomery County Community College. To
encourage alternative fuel vehicles, more charging stations and natural gas stations will
need to be built in the county and region.
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