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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Wind power supporters argue referendum could kill industry
COLUMBUS – Business and environmental groups told state lawmakers Tuesday that subjecting proposed wind farms to votes of the people would likely kill the industry in Ohio. “House Bill 401 is an alarming proposal that would take away landowners’ rights by subjecting wind energy development to a local vote that could result in the cancellation of a project after the permitting,” said Susan Munroe, economic development director for Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and former president of the Van Wert . . . Complete story »
Conneaut’s harbor roads reopen after turbine scare
CONNEAUT – Roads in the harbor opened again on Friday after being closed for a day and a half due to potential danger from a damaged wind turbine. The turbine was struck by lightning in 2017, which destroyed one of the turbine’s blades. The lightning strike also partially melted the turbine’s gearbox, City Manager Jim Hockaday said. “When it blew hard enough on Wednesday, it broke loose whatever temporary kind of weld it had,” Hockaday said. Contractors hired by the city . . . Complete story »
Turbine project AEZ intent clarified
Seneca County commissioners approved a resolution Thursday clarifying their intent that the refiled Seneca Wind commercial wind turbine project should not be under the county’s former Alternative Energy Zone. In March, the commissioners voted to rescind the county’s AEZ, which had been put in place by a previous board in 2011. The AEZ ended June 30. However, when sPower refiled its Seneca Wind project it had withdrawn in August, there was confusion about whether the new project would be “grandfathered” . . . Complete story »
State lawmakers urged to allow wind farm referendum
COLUMBUS – In person and in writing, scores of residents from a swath of northwest Ohio – from Champaign to Huron counties – on Tuesday urged state lawmakers to give them the power of the ballot to keep out what they say are unwanted wind farms. Walt Poffenbaugh, of Norwich Township, Huron County, sees three proposed turbine projects across Seneca, Sandusky, Erie, and Huron counties as essentially one industrial-sized project with a cumulative effect on the region. “Republic Wind, Seneca Wind, and Emerson . . . Complete story »
Commissioners support LEEDCo project
JEFFERSON – The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners have shown support for a wind energy project off the shores of Cleveland that aims to put six wind turbines in Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation, or LEEDCo, is a non-profit corporation formed in 2009 that plans to construct the first freshwater offshore wind project in North America, according to information provided by LEEDCo vice-president of operations David Karpinski. Commissioners recently passed a resolution in support of the project, known . . . Complete story »
Commissioners approve support resolution for HB 401
Seneca County commissioners Thursday approved a resolution of support for House Bill 401 introduced by Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) to the Ohio House of Representatives. The bill, and a companion bill introduced in the Ohio Senate, would give local people the option of choosing a referendum to vote on wind turbine projects. Last week, the three commissioners attended a press conference hosted by Reineke announcing the bill at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Also Thursday, the commissioners commended Tonia Hoffert, . . . Complete story »
Let voters settle wind power feuds
It’s impossible not to notice that wind power is catching on in this part of Ohio. Towering turbines encroach Findlay’s north side, and stretch west in northern Hardin County. Meanwhile, a big wind farm is awaiting approval in Seneca County. But not all people favor wind power and the issue can divide neighbors. The greatest support for wind projects comes from property owners who directly benefit from land lease agreements with developers. At rural sites, such contracts can allow farmers . . . Complete story »
Commissioners to consider turbine referendum support
Seneca County commissioners Thursday are to consider a resolution of support for House Bill 401, which would allow wind turbine projects to be subject to referendum in the townships where they would be located. They are to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at their office, 111 Madison St. Last week, the commissioners visited the Statehouse in Columbus for a press conference hosted by Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) to announce the bill. There is a companion bill in the Ohio Senate. . . . Complete story »
New bill would give residents a say in wind farms
BELLEVUE – Newly introduced bills in the Ohio General Assembly would give residents a say on whether industrial wind turbines should be built in their communities. Apex Clean Energy is developing the Emerson Creek – about 71 wind turbines in Erie and Huron counties – and Republic Wind – about 47 wind turbines in Sandusky and Seneca counties – projects in the area. Both plans have faced stiff opposition from residents who have concerns about the possible impact wind turbines could have on their communities. . . . Complete story »
Communities push for right to reject wind farm proposals
Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House and Senate are pushing for a bill that would allow township voters to reject wind farm projects through a referendum. Wind companies have proposed putting up more than 200 new wind turbines in northern Ohio. Those proposals are filed with the Ohio Power Siting Board. But State Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) and State Sen. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), among other Republican legislators, want to give local voters the ability to hold a referendum on those . . . Complete story »
