After a public outcry opposing a windmill project in Cambria County, the windmill company is backing out.

The greater Johnstown Water authority had reached an agreement with competitive power ventures to build windmills along Laurel Ridge in Upper Yoder Township.

However, after neighbors and local officials expressed concerns, CPV told the authority it was backing out of the deal.

The deal would have helped pay for 2 mandatory dam replacement projects.

Now water authority officials say they’ll have to find the money somewhere else.

“We’re going to be scrambling on where to come up with the money for these improvement projects.” Says William Barbin, the solicitor for Upper Yoder Township.

The mandatory dam repairs will cost about $20,000,000 over the next 10 years.