December 28, 2021
Letters, Ohio

Keep unsightly windmills out of Lake Erie

Letters to the Editor | Dec. 27, 2021 | www.cleveland.com

The fate of the “Icebreaker” Lake Erie wind turbine project is dependent on an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court and acquisition of more taxpayer funding (”Hopes for funding for Lake Erie wind energy project are blown away,” Dec. 11). Let’s hope both fail.

Construction would again make Cleveland the “Mistake by the Lake.” The Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo)’s desire to build six experimental windmills eight miles offshore has many negative consequences. The windmills would be visible from shore, denigrating the beautiful lake views, and they could kill migratory birds. The vibrations and noise may affect walleye and perch, diminishing the lake’s $1 billion sport-fishing industry. Multibillion-dollar tourism and recreational boating in Ohio could also be hurt. And Icebreaker’s power will be purchased by local taxpayers at higher than current rates. Actual jobs created – for construction and permanently – will be much less than the 500-plus that LEEDCo. is projecting. And when there is no wind, there will be no power.

The worst part is that if Icebreaker is deemed “successful,” hundreds and maybe thousands more turbines will be built and Lake Erie could become horribly riddled with windmills – a visual, economic, and environmental catastrophe.

Larry Bender,

Broadview Heights


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/12/28/keep-unsightly-windmills-out-of-lake-erie/