July 29, 2008
Ohio
Ohio
LORAIN – A local renewable energies company wants to create local jobs by setting up an offshore wind turbine farm in Lake Erie.
John James Sekulic, president of St. George’s Renewable Energies LLC, shared with City Council his plans to make Lorain a hub for wind energy and requested the right of first refusal for 13 off-shore submerged land leases during the Building and Lands Committee meeting Monday night.
“If it’s not us, you’ve got to ask who it’s going to be,” he said. “If not now, then when?”
Sekulic said he plans to take investors on a tour around Lorain and the former Ford plant sometime next month to help drum up interest and support.
He also plans to be present when the state finalizes an energy bill legislators are working on.
“I want an Ohio company to put these turbines up,” he said. “Creating jobs is the main thing we’re trying to do here.”
Law Director Mark Provenza said a submerged land lease falls under the jurisdiction of the city’s Port Authority, and the state is still crafting the regulations governing the process.
Councilman Greg Holcomb, D-6th Ward, said the proposal definitely has his interest.
“This is probably one of the most progressive proposals I’ve ever heard,” he said. “… I think we need to work to explore this venture.”
The committee members agreed to support the project.
Stephan Szucs
29 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/29/company-angles-for-offshore-wind-turbines-in-lorain/