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.
Groundbreaking law prohibits wind turbines
ST. HENRY – Council members made history Monday night by passing unique legislation that bans wind turbines in town. The new law, which unanimously passed third reading, prohibits the construction of all types of wind turbines, wind chargers and wind generators. It also outlaws any device, apparatus or structure used to convert kinetic energy from wind to produce electricity. State officials previously told The Daily Standard no ordinance of this kind has been passed by any municipality in the state . . .
Turbines slow to pay off cost
One year after installing two wind turbines, Lordstown saved $645 powering its administration building. That means it will take a little more than 20 years to recoup the $13,170 spent on the turbines. That’s a pretty bad return on taxpayers’ investment. The turbines, though, actually cost $131,700, with the federal government picking up the difference. So actually, it will take 204 years to recoup the cost. That’s a downright horrible return on taxpayers’ investment. This proves two points. One, federal . . .
Windfarm sure to irritate neighbors
In response to last Monday’s Dispatch article “Harvesting wind,” about the wind-turbine controversy in Champaign County, I have a few questions: Farmer Tony Broshes said that he should be able to do whatever he wants on his property. Should he be able to put in a dump, landfill or nuclear plant? Should he be able to build a skyscraper? Broshes said no one cared about him when he had problems with his farm after windstorms in 2008 and 2009. Did . . .
Green energy policy, tilting at windmills
If you haven’t driven out to view the windmill farms in Van Wert and Paulding counties, do so. Take U.S. 127 north from U.S. 30, and you will be in awe, traveling in a forest of blades. At night it is a flood of bright red lights, flashing in unison. Curiosity induced me to compare windmills to nuclear power plants. I read it would take 7,000 windmills to produce power of one nuclear plant, providing they were active 24/7. Solar . . .
Lordstown wind turbines fall short of hopes
Two wind-powered turbines in Lordstown saved the village about $50 a month during their first year in operation, Mayor Arno Hill said Wednesday. That’s a far cry from expectations. The turbines, on average, were expected to save the village 30 percent to 50 percent on its electricity payments, or $300 to $500 a month. “That’s fallen short of what we expected, but I don’t know how accurate that figure is,” said John McCarthy, village councilman who voted for the turbines. . . .
Champaign Wind responds to UNU wish to intervene
COLUMBUS – Champaign Wind LLC on Tuesday submitted a document to the Ohio Power Siting Board stating the business does not object or agree to the March 5 petition by Union Neighbors United, Robert McConnell, Diane McConnell and Julia Johnson to become intervenors in the Buckeye II Wind Farm proposal, but indicating the filing of such a petition should occur only after an application to OPSB has been filed. So far, only a pre-application for a proposed Buckeye II Wind . . .
Kalida Manufacturing proposes building two wind turbines
KALIDA – Representatives of KMI (Kalida Manufacturing Inc.) and One Energy LLC addressed the Kalida village council Monday night on the proposed assembly of two wind turbine generators to be placed on property purchased by KMI adjacent to the current plant operations in Kalida. “Kalida Manufacturing Inc. met with local officials today for consideration of annexation and zoning of a 52-acre farm under option to purchase. The land is being studied as part of a project to install two company-owned . . .
Southern Van Wert County wind farm discussed
VAN WERT – Work continues toward building another wind farm in Van Wert County. BP Wind’s Roger Brown met with township trustees and the Van Wert County Commissioners on Tuesday to give an update on the proposed Long Prairie Wind Farm. Unlike Timber Road Wind Farm in Paulding County and Blue Creek Wind Farm in Paulding and northern Van Wert counties, this development is targeted for the southern portion of the county. “The heart of it will be York and . . .
Farmers seek to harvest wind
Even after key court ruling, neighbors at odds over skyscraper-size turbines changing rural landscape As the wind rattled the metal siding of his outbuilding, Tony Broshes nodded toward his Champaign County farm field and explained why he will allow a skyscraper-sized turbine to be built there. In his mind, the wind is just another crop. And because it is his property, he figures he ought to be able to do with it what he wants. And because the Ohio Supreme . . .
Tax, road issues remain for wind turbine project
URBANA — A large-scale wind project that would build at least 54 wind turbines in Champaign County still faces hurdles — including possible tax breaks and road agreement issues with county officials — before it can move forward. The first phase of the $20 million Buckeye Wind project is moving ahead after a 4-3 ruling in the Ohio Supreme Court this month. Talks on taxes and on how to protect roads during construction have not yet begun between county officials . . .
