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Wind Power News: Ohio
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Crawford Neighbors United hail vote
In what turned out to be a real life David versus Goliath saga, citizens in Crawford County, Ohio dealt a crushing defeat to a major energy corporation that had planned a wind power facility in portions of the county. Using a newly passed law known as Senate Bill 52, and in response to intense public pressure, commissioners earlier in the year had declared the County a “Restricted Area”, which prevented wind farm development of a large industrial scale. That in . . . Complete story »
Crawford County voters uphold ban on industrial wind farm, reject Honey Creek Wind project by 3-1 ratio
The room erupted into cheers as Kay Weisenauer read the results to members of Crawford Neighbors United who had gathered at the Crawford County Courthouse on Tuesday night: A referendum vote had upheld a 10-year ban on industrial wind development in Crawford County. In final, unofficial results, Issue 4 had 10,964 “Yes” votes, or 74.54%, and 3.744 “No” votes, or 25.46%, according to the Crawford County Board of Elections. The “Yes” vote on Issue 4 supports the 10-year ban on . . . Complete story »
Ottawa Co. Commissioners discuss renewable energy restrictions
PORT CLINTON, Ohio – Commissioners in Ottawa County invited the public to talk about wind and solar projects Tuesday afternoon. The meeting was intended to gather information and plans from townships about restrictions on new large solar and wind energy projects, before taking action on a resolution that would restrict projects in the county. Ohio Senate Bill 52’s passage last year made the resolution possible, giving counties the power to restrict new renewable energy projects. Renewable energy developers would need input . . . Complete story »
Woodville trustees approve zoning change for quarry wind turbine project, conservationists oppose
WOODVILLE, Ohio – The skyline in the village of Woodville may have a big change next year as Martin Marietta and One Energy plan to build three wind turbines for a quarry operation. Last week, Woodville Township trustees voted to approve a zoning change to allow the turbines and other wind projects in zones around the township. “The zoning change was a recommendation from the regional planning commission,” trustee Paul Runion said. “We had no language on large turbine energy systems.” . . . Complete story »
Senate Bill 52 options discussed during commissioners’ session
NAPOLEON – The area’s state senator explained local options here Tuesday morning under Ohio Senate Bill 52 (SB 52), legislation he sponsored that provides area officials with more say in where wind and solar farms locate. The venue was Henry County commissioners’ regular session, attended by some township officials seeking information on what to do about ongoing efforts to establish such farms in Henry County. None exist in Henry County, but property lease agreements with property owners are being sought by . . . Complete story »
Marion Co. Commissioners approve solar, wind restrictions in 4 more townships
The list of townships in Marion County that are restricting the development of solar and wind energy projects is growing. During their Aug. 18 meeting, the Marion County Commissioners voted to approve resolutions submitted by trustees from Big Island, Claridon, Richland, and Salt Rock townships that will limit such development. All four resolutions followed the same format with the same language. The commissioners voted to approve a similar resolution put forth by the Pleasant Township Trustees at the conclusion of . . . Complete story »
‘Tilting at (non-existent) windmills’
Oops… In the last edition of the Herald, with one of my submissions, there was, oh, a bit of a mistake – to be as transparent as possible. And as a preface, I’ve been a reporter in the village for some three years now, and I would like to think that I’m up on “…all things Ada.” However, and admittedly, what I could still use work on is, well, looking ‘up,’ literally. That is, a couple years ago I wrote . . . Complete story »
Ohio wind ruling starts storm of opposition
During a meeting inside the Dunkirk Lighthouse in May 2019, volunteers learned of a project that could forever change the landscape of Lake Erie while offering the promise of $500 in revenue monthly. All that needed to happen was for an approval of a wind monitoring station at the historic site. Desperate for cash, the Lighthouse could have taken the funds being offered at the time by Diamond Offshore Wind. But members of the board of directors sided with history, . . . Complete story »
Nine Ohio counties ban wind, solar projects under new state law
At least nine Ohio counties have passed resolutions blocking the development of new wind and solar projects within all or part of their jurisdictions in the last year. The counties’ moves come after the October 2021 enactment of a state law giving the locals the veto power over renewable energy generation sites – a veto power that doesn’t exist for fossil fuel developments. At least two more counties are actively considering such a prohibition. In Crawford County, meanwhile, citizens are pushing . . . Complete story »
Bucyrus hosts meeting on wind turbine endeavors
BUCYRUS- The future of Honey Creek Wind, the industrial wind project, was discussed over two hours during a “community information session” Aug. 10 in Bucyrus. More than 100 Crawford Country residents attended. Live presentations occurred Wednesday evening from a medical professional and a half-dozen Apex employees who attempted to address attendees’ concerns. Following their presentations, there was a question-and-answer session with written queries from the audience. Apex hoped to dispel rumors about where turbines are made and explain the minimal . . . Complete story »
