The proposal for wind farms on state lands is interesting in terms of the energy it could generate as well as the extent to which it could reduce reliance on coal-fired power plants that are a source of the acid rain that damages forests.

That environmental advocates say they favor wind-farm development - with just two stipulations - is a boost for the proposal. Those reasonable stipulations are that the planning process be open to the public and that builders meet strict environmental guidelines.

But the reservations already being voiced by sportsmen's organizations should not be ignored. Sportsmen fear too much public land being made off-limits if and when such farms are built.

Actually, there already are five wind farms on private land in Pennsylvania, with two more set to open this year. Those facilities produce 129 megawatts, enough to power approximately 40,000 households.

Motorists traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike can see one of those wind farms near Somerset.

Pennsylvania would be remiss if it did not join in on discussion like what is happening in at least a dozen other states in regard to increasing reliance on wind. This state has the advantage of owning 2.1 million acres of forestland on some of the state's highest ridge lines.

The wind-power industry has noticed this Keystone State asset and has approached the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about the possibility of using state-owned lands. However, it is not the department that has the authority to make such a decision; that approval would have to come from the state General Assembly.

And, consideration of the idea will involve much more than environmentalists' OK or allaying the concerns of sportsmen. Officials would have to gauge the impact on animals and the forests. The location of transmission lines would have to be ascertained.

Other issues would be the turbines' wind exposure and visibility.

As gasoline, heating oil and natural-gas prices continue to rise, other forms of energy will look increasingly more desirable. Also, turbines could generate money for the state by putting electricity into the regional power grid.

The proposed wind farms hold numerous positive possibilities, but it will be state officials' responsibility to investigate all potential negative impacts as well - and weigh the positives against the negatives.

As the discussion evolves, state residents should pay attention and make their opinions known via communication with legislators and through letters-to-the-editor columns.