January 28, 2015
Ohio

Whirlpool, Ball invest in Findlay Wind Farm

By Tom Henry, Blade Staff Writer | The Blade | 1/28/2015 | www.toledoblade.com

FINDLAY – Whirlpool Corp. and Ball Corp. are making an $18 million investment in wind power here with a generation facility to be called the Findlay Wind Farm.

Five wind turbines are expected to go online in late 2015. Two will generate power for Whirlpool’s manufacturing facility; the other three will supply electricity for Ball.

Whirlpool said it expects to reduce electric costs at its site by 22 percent.

Ball expects to reduce electricity costs at its site by 20 percent, Tom Starr, Ball engineering manager said.

The project is being financed by One Energy, a company which does energy projects for large electric consumers.

“We’re excited to join One Energy and the Findlay community for this project,” Dale Laws, vice president of Whirlpool’s Findlay operations, said.

Glenn Jost, Ball plant manager, could not be reached for comment.

Whirlpool stated in its release that studies were done “to ensure responsible siting” to minimize sound disturbances and wildlife impacts.

Whirlpool also said it will offer a pair of $5,000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors from area school districts each year its two turbines are in operation.

The scholarships are for students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at accredited two and four-year colleges.

Whirlpool released a photo that depicts how it expects the front of its property to look when four of the turbines are installed and spaced apart. It said the spacing may end up being slightly different from what is approximated in the photograph.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/28/whirlpool-ball-invest-in-findlay-wind-farm/