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.
Turbine vote scheduled for March 22
URBANA — After months of debate, area residents won’t have to wait much longer to find out the state’s decision on whether wind turbines are on their way to Champaign County.
On Monday, March 22, the Ohio Power Siting board, an 11-member entity in charge of regulating utility services in the state, will vote on whether to approve the Buckeye Wind Project.
The project, proposed by Everpower Wind Holdings Inc., would build about 70 wind turbines in Goshen, Rush, Salem, Union, Urbana . . .
Another view of commercial wind turbines
A lot of interesting conversation has transpired on this thread. It is a very complex issue and can be very polarizing between individuals and within oneself. I would like to present a couple of thoughts on why some have grave concerns about wind turbines along Lake Erie (I will keep these to bird issues and stay away from the elephants in the room) and then list a couple of sites to get another take on some of the citations mentioned . . .
Undeserving wind farms
Contrary to the Feb. 14 Beacon Journal editorial ”Wind win,” Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to exempt wind-turbine farms from the tangible personal property tax is a poor idea for at least seven reasons.
First, the schools and local governments in the areas where the generation facilities are located would bear the brunt of the foregone tax revenue. They would otherwise collect this money.
Gov. Strickland nowhere proposes how they will be made whole for the loss. The state certainly does not have . . .
Ada zoning board approves permits for turbine construction
The Ada Zoning Board convened on Tuesday evening to hold four consecutive public hearings on the four proposed wind turbines to be constructed within the village limits. One turbine is proposed on the Ada Schools’ property, while three turbines are proposed to be built on Ohio Northern University property west of Klingler Road.
The hearings were held separately in order for the board to vote on issuing conditional use permits for each proposed turbine.
Zoning Board members Dennis Herr, Mike Hurtig, and . . .
Turbines create a lose-lose situation for most residents
We see where Richland County is in the same situation as we are here in Champaign County. We are about to see huge wind turbines coming into our county.
With the turbines come devaluation of property, loss of property rights for the non-participating homeowners and damage to roads and bridges — and the repair of those falls to the taxpayer.
We may have to update the fire equipment so the fire departments can cover any emergencies at the turbines — another cost . . .
Wind project up in the air, Deskins says
The Archbold Area School District has not, and might not, spend $80,000 for consultant fees for the proposed wind turbine project.
Speaking to the district school board, Monday, Feb. 15, David Deskins, district superintendent, said in a previous meeting, the board had simply authorized the expenditure. The money has not been spent.
“This gives us the ability to invest some dollars to continue to pursue this option,” he said.
Deskins said the issue needed to be clarified, based on feedback he had been . . .
Local wind turbine rules still being sought in Champaign County
UNION TWP. — Union Twp. may not have much control over the industrial-scale wind turbines that would dot the landscape if a proposal by Everpower Renewables is approved by state officials this year.
But local officials are planning to meet this week to discuss some basic guidelines for smaller, residential turbines in the township.
Bill Runyan, president of the Union Twp. Zoning Commission, said members will meet with the Union Twp. Appeals Board at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, to discuss the . . .
Lake Erie wind turbine backers ready to study wildlife impact, court manufacturer
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Cuyahoga County task force striving to erect wind turbines in Lake Erie is looking for bats, birds and a turbine manufacturer.
The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force is taking proposals to count birds and bats in an area three miles off downtown Cleveland, the proposed site for a pilot project of up to eight wind turbines.
It also hopes soon to enlist a turbine manufacturer for the project, estimated to cost up to $100 million.
The three-year-old task . . .
Sandusky Schools seeking public opinion on turbine at high school
Plenty of private property owners and public entities are hopping onto the windpower bandwagon, but a project proposed at Sandusky High School would dwarf all the rest in the area.
The Sandusky Schools Board of Education will likely vote March 8 on whether to put a 750-kilowatt turbine at the high school to offset 37 percent of the site’s electricity use. The district will host a community input session Feb. 24 on the proposed project.
WANT TO GO?
The Sandusky City Schools . . .
Proposal could bring 70 wind turbines to area
URBANA — A proposal to build 70 wind turbines in Champaign County moved forward this week, as attorneys representing several entities made their final arguments concerning the Buckeye Wind Project.
The briefs filed Monday, Feb. 1, included arguments from several entities involved in the case, including the county, townships, Urbana, a citizens group called Union Neighbors United, and Everpower Renewables, the company that hopes to build the wind turbines throughout the county.
If the project is approved as it has been proposed . . .
