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.
Wind energy — is it worth it?
As your state representative, I see and hear that wind development has become a top of mind issue for many of our residents. Since being first elected in 2016, my focus has primarily been on the energy sector. I sit on the house public utilities committee, energy and natural resources committee and have the honor to serve as chair of a subcommittee on energy generation. My observations are based on weekly interactions with those involved in and affected by aspects . . . Complete story »
It’s a property rights issue, and whose rights involving property will be preeminent is the crucial issue
Property rights have emerged as a major issue at the center of the wind turbine debate in Seneca County. The issue has several facets, depending on one’s point of view. Farmers and owners of cropland argue it’s their right to earn a living from the land in any way they choose, while the owners of smaller parcels of land say it’s their right to maintain their property values, which they say would decrease if wind turbines were built nearby. Still . . . Complete story »
Hearing for Republic Wind project rescheduled
A state board has rescheduled the adjudicatory hearing for Apex Clean Energy’s proposed 47-turbine Republic Wind project in Seneca and Sandusky counties. The new date for the Republic Wind project was announced Thursday by the Ohio Power Siting Board. The hearing – one in which formal testimony and evidence is presented – will now be at 10 a.m. on June 3 at the siting board’s hearing room at 180 E. Broad St., Columbus. It is separate from and does not affect the . . . Complete story »
Judge: Landowners don’t have to let Seneca wind farm company on property
TIFFIN – Thirty area landowners won’t have to let sPower on their property to do the work the Utah-based developer argued was necessary to keep its proposed Seneca Wind project on schedule. Retired Wood County Common Pleas Judge Robert Pollex, assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to rule on the company’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed it to cut down trees and do remaining surveying work on the private property, ruled in favor of the landowners. In . . . Complete story »
City Planning Commission rejects wind turbine plans
Plans to build one or two 400-foot wind turbines southeast of the intersection of Crystal and Bigelow avenues were rejected Thursday by Findlay City Planning Commission. The action was a foregone conclusion after the city zoning appeals board last month denied One Energy’s request for a variance from city laws setting a 40- to 100-foot limit on wind turbines. Crystal Avenue residents have denounced the proposed wind turbines as an eyesore which would sink their property values and flicker shadows . . . Complete story »
Date set for second wind farm meeting
BELLEVUE – A date has been sent for the new public informational meeting on the Emerson Creek Wind Project. Apex Clean Energy wants to build up 71 wind turbines in Erie and Huron counties, but it hit the snag in their application process when the Ohio Power Siting Board ordered a second public information meeting. The board – which has the power to approve or deny the Emerson Creek project – said a second meeting was needed because of changes to the plan . . . Complete story »
Judge denies wind farm company injunction in Seneca County
Seneca County neighbors who don’t want to see a wind farm established in their community are calling a recent ruling by a judge a win. When the Seneca Wind farm project started up a few years ago, they signed multiple leases with property owners in eastern Seneca County to survey potential turbine locations. But now, those leases are up, ending last year. But Seneca Wind still wanted to be let on those properties for more surveying and testing. “Where they . . . Complete story »
Judge denies Seneca Wind’s request for preliminary injunction
A judge denied Seneca Wind LLC’s request for a preliminary injunction. Seneca Wind LLC is seeking immediate access to properties to conduct tests and surveys. The company is proposing to develop a wind farm of up to 212 megawatts in Seneca County’s Scipio, Reed, Venice, Eden and Bloom townships. The project would be built on about 25,000 acres of privately leased land and would use 77 turbines and related infrastructure, court records state. Judge Robert C. Pollex, who previously served . . . Complete story »
New public meeting ordered for wind farm
NORWALK – The developers of a proposed local wind farm must re-do a public meeting as part of the approval process it must undergo before it gets a permit to build. The Ohio Power Siting Board decided Thursday that Apex Clean Energy needed to host another public information meeting for its Emerson Creek Wind Project, which would see the construction of about 70 wind turbines in Erie and Huron counties. The board has the power to approve or deny the application . . . Complete story »
Attorney: Don’t expect Ohio Supreme Court decision soon
The attorney representing Greenwich Neighbors United said he was satisfied with his oral argument Tuesday before the Ohio Supreme Court. “I believe our argument went well,” attorney Matt Pritchard added. Issues concerning the proposed Greenwich Windpark went before the Ohio Supreme Court because the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) oversees energy policies in the state. The board approved the project in August 2014. One of the main issues is the minimum distance “from a wind turbine to the exterior of . . . Complete story »
