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.
Don’t change rules on wind turbines
Ohioans should know there are many issues with wind turbines facing its rural citizens. Those few who have leased their land affect all of those living in rural communities. According the United States Department of Agriculture, wind energy companies state there are 2,247 people who have leased their ground while Ohio’s rural population is 2.36 million. Full ownership farms are shown at 52,168; and individual families, sole proprietorship farms at 70,890, The thousands of other rural residents would lose property . . .
Birding groups score win against proposed turbine project
BENTON TOWNSHIP – Bird conservation groups are declaring victory in their fight against a proposed wind turbine project at Camp Perry after being informed that the plans are no longer moving forward. The wind turbine project was initially revived last year by the Ohio Air National Guard, proposing a taxpayer-funded $1.5 million, 198-foot wind turbine at the Camp Perry Joint Training Center. The plan had been halted several years earlier following similar opposition from organizations such as the American Bird . . .
Bird conservation groups win fight against great lakes wind project
Camp Perry turbine would have set dangerous precedent. (Washington, D.C., June 29, 2017) American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) have won their campaign to stop a planned wind turbine in a major bird migration corridor close to the shores of Lake Erie. In response to a lawsuit by ABC and BSBO, the Ohio Air National Guard (ANG) has announced that it has not approved or authorized plans to install a large turbine at its Camp Perry . . .
Camp Perry turbine plan axed; Birders cheer as National Guard retreats on wind power
OAK HARBOR, Ohio – For the second time since 2014, the Ohio Air National Guard has backed away from its plans to erect a commercial-scale, $1.5 million wind turbine at Camp Perry – a decision that the region’s biggest birding organization hopes will put an end to five years of contentious litigation and send a message to other would-be developers. “This is a very important victory for migratory birds,” said Kim Kaufman, executive director of the Oak Harbor-based Black Swamp Bird Observatory. . . .
Wind-energy proponents say they’ll continue fight for ease in site restrictions
Wind-energy advocates say they will continue to push to ease restrictions on where wind turbines can be placed, undeterred by a stinging defeat this week in the Ohio General Assembly. The Ohio Senate supported the eased restrictions this week and inserted it into the proposed state budget, only for the Ohio House to remove the provision. This was part of a marathon give-and-take as lawmakers rushed to complete work on the budget. “It was a missed opportunity for the state . . .
Ohio Air National Guard drops wind turbine plans for Camp Perry; birding groups declare victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ohio Air National Guard said today that it disapproves of a plan to build a large wind turbine at Camp Perry, handing birding groups a decision they hailed as “a huge win for migratory birds.” The Black Swamp Bird Observatory, based in Ottawa County, teamed with the American Bird Conservancy in March to file a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the wind turbine, which they criticized as a “lethal bird-killing machine” for bald eagles and . . .
Conneaut council fed up with disfigured turbine
CONNEAUT – City Council in Conneaut is losing patience with the energy company that owns a wind turbine severely damaged by lightning nearly four months ago. At Monday night’s work session, some members said they believe NexGen Energy of Boulder, Colorado, is in violation of its contract to supply some of the electricity used at the municipal sewage treatment plant. A 400-kilowatt turbine erected next to the plant in January 2010 lost a blade and saw its generator completely fried by . . .
Champaign wind farm may move forward after nearly decade-long fight
A controversial Champaign County wind farm could begin construction by the end of this year after a nearly decade-long legal fight that divided community members. The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed a pending legal case after the wind farm’s developers and members of Union Neighbors United, a group opposed to the wind farm, said they have reached a settlement. That deal sets the stage for the wind farm to begin construction as early as next year, said Jason Dagger, project . . .
Wind turbines are too intrusive
Zoning industrial power plants, known euphemistically as windmills, must be a matter of local decision-making. The merits of which should be fully vetted in a separate bill before the legislature and not stuffed into the budget bill. Wind turbines today are reaching heights of 800 feet with rotor diameters that exceed the length of a football field. They are intrusive in many ways from their sheer size to noise and moving shadows. Ireland has recently determined a zero tolerance for . . .
Turbine setback is local issue
It is the height of arrogance for those in Paulding County to presume to know what the economic development opportunities are for a county other than their own (“Wind farms gave counties a boost,” letter from Peggy Emerson, Monday). What is perceived by Paulding County as a benefit could just as easily be devastating to another county. Local jurisdictions should have the authority to zone for their own areas. It is also false to suggest that Ohio’s industrial wind turbine . . .
