Wind Power News: Ohio
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
County approves tax break for ‘green’ energy
FREMONT — Sandusky County commissioners voted unanimously to designate the county as an alternative energy zone, which will provide tax breaks to green energy industries moving to the area. The decision was made Thursday as German-based wind turbine manufacturer Nordex works to build an estimated $400 million wind farm project proposed for southeast Sandusky County and northeast Seneca County. The designation also would apply to alternative-energy projects such as solar, biomass and clean coal facilities. Without the tax incentive, the . . .
Sandusky County OKs alternative energy zone
FREMONT — Sandusky County commissioners have approved making the county an alternative energy zone, which will enable green energy projects to get state tax breaks. The zone was approved Thursday to assist wind turbine manufacturer Nordex, which has proposed a 70 to 80-turbine wind-energy farm in York Township in Sandusky County and Thompson Township in Seneca County. The project is in the planning phase and couldn’t begin before next year. In October, Seneca County commissioners created an alternative energy zone . . .
Wind turbine discussion breezes through Bloomville Village Hall
BLOOMVILLE – Council is continuing to work with NexGen Energy of Colorado to decide if the area will work for wind turbines. In her report, Councilwoman Carol Adams relayed what information has been collected during Wednesday’s council meeting. If approved the turbines would be installed under a 10-year contract, said Adams. After that time, if not renewed, the turbines would be removed and the land would be put back to its original state. Phase one would include touring the area, . . .
Bill would kill Ohio’s renewable energy law
A bill that would eliminate the requirement that 12.5 percent of Ohio’s energy come from renewable sources by 2025 got a warm reception from a Senate committee yesterday, but it is unclear how much farther the bill is going. The state requires investor-owned electric companies such as American Electric Power to generate 25 percent of their power from advanced or renewable sources by 2025. Half must come from each source, under the bill passed by the GOP-controlled legislature in 2008. . . .
Wind farm delayed a year
SHELBY — The company behind a north central Ohio wind farm says the project is moving forward, but not as fast as it hoped. Construction will be delayed at least a year from the original start date, the company confirmed Thursday. “The soonest we would start construction is 2013, and it could even extend to 2014,” said Scott Hawken, senior project manager with Oregon-based alternative energy company Element Power. The state board that certifies construction plans for energy facilities approved . . .
Documentary on wind farms to be screened locally
A first-run documentary titled “WINDFALL” will be screened for free on Feb. 2 and Feb. 4 at two Champaign County locations. The 83-minute documentary opens in selected major cities on Feb. 3, but local critics of utility-scale wind turbines and wind farms said they’ve received permission from the film’s producer to screen it locally a day earlier than the national opening. WINDFALL is a First Run Features documentary with the theme, “Wind power: It’s clean; it’s green; it’s good. Or . . .
Turbine project moves forward; Area residents still have concerns about proposed wind farm
NORTH LEWISBURG — A roughly $20 million project to build 57 wind turbines in Champaign County took a step forward Tuesday during a public meeting, but many residents are still split on whether the project is right for the county. The project is the latest of two projects. The first phase, which would include about 50 turbines, is still being reviewed in the Ohio Supreme Court. Officials from Everpower Wind Holdings Inc. hosted a two-hour event at Triad High School, . . .
Richland, Crawford county wind farm construction may start in spring
SHELBY — Wind turbines could start sprouting up in rural north central Ohio by spring, bringing jobs and millions of dollars in investment. The state board that certifies construction plans for energy facilities approved an agreement that authorizes a 91-turbine wind farm along the Crawford and Richland county line. The agreement approved Monday by the Ohio Power Siting Board allows Black Fork Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Oregon-based alternative energy company Element Power, to move forward with the project. The . . .
Ohio Power Siting Board approves construction of Black Fork Wind Farm
Columbus, Ohio (Jan. 23, 2012) – The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) today approved an agreement that authorizes Black Fork Wind Energy to construct a wind farm along the Crawford and Richland county line. The facility will consist of up to 91 wind turbines capable of generating a combined 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Black Fork plans to begin construction in March 2012 and to have the facility online by December. The company estimates that between $51 and $69 million . . .
Wind talker: Village organizes meeting on wind farm proposal
BUCKLAND — A possible wind farm project, which would generate nearly five times the electricity used by the city of Wapakoneta, should be less intrusive than people might believe, a representative of an international renewable power company says. While the project may not create a lot of jobs, he says it could create some windfall for townships and schools. Nearly 80 people attended a public meeting at the Buckland Community Center to hear information concerning the possible wind farm project . . .
