Julie Johnson considers herself in that "backyard," so she is part of a group pushing for better regulation of wind energy. She is concerned that the state will allow the turbines too close to homes. She said local sentiment remains strongly against the project and that people have concerns about safety, noise and potential environmental impact. Some residents thought that the energy produced would be used locally, and that their electricity rates would be cheaper, she said. Those people now understand that isn't the case.

Black Fork Wind Farm turbines may start popping up next year across Richland and Crawford counties, raising uncertainties about taxes and effects on property values. Gary Energetics, an alternative energy company (Denver, Colo.), plans to install 112 Vestas 1.8 megawatt wind turbines, starting in the second half of 2010. The turbines would be at various sites encompassing about 46,000 acres crossing the border of the two counties.

Urbana’s City Council voted unanimously Friday, Oct. 9, to file as an intervenor in a proposed wind turbine project, after concerns were raised that the project could impact approaches at two local airfields. ...Michael Speerschneider, a project developer with Everpower, said the company would work with the airport to alleviate those concerns. He said Everpower will not build a wind turbine that was deemed a hazard by the FAA. Instead, the company will offer to invest in localizer equipment at the airport to resolve the issue.

Cuyahoga County commissioners today rejected proposals to build a wind turbine at the county fairgrounds because the estimates were too expensive. Instead, the commissioners voted to seek proposals for a used, rebuilt turbine, similar to the refurbished machine at the Great Lakes Science Center.

A plan by a Midwest utility to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to customers backfired when it was learned that the recipients would not only have to pay for the bulbs, but also pay the utility for the electricity they wouldn't be using. Ohio's governor sent a letter to regulators who pulled the plug on the program for now, or at least on the charges that caught consumers off guard.

Many area Crestline residents are opposed to the construction of the Black Fork Wind Farm to be built in Crawford and Richland Counties. Concerned residents gathered Thursday night at the Crestline Public Library to discuss their concerns and the negative impact of wind farms in rural communities.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently informed Buckeye Wind, LLC. that its study found 38 of the 70 proposed turbine building sites in Champaign County exceed obstruction standards and could be a hazard to air navigation near Grimes Field. FAA guidelines generally restrict objects taller than 200 feet within five nautical miles, approximately 5.75 standard miles, of an airport that size.

Benton-Carroll-Salem Local School District officials briefed village leaders on tentative plans to install a 100 kilowatt wind turbine on a school property. Village Administrator Robert Pauley said the windmill will be for educational purposes and to save on energy costs.

The Ohio Power Siting Board has rescheduled dates for hearings on the proposed Buckeye Wind Project, as requested by parent company Everpower Renewables after a July 31 OPSB order that required Everpower to file additional financial data, projected population estimates and ecological impact studies as part of the application to install a power-generating facility with 70 turbines scattered over approximately 9,000 acres in Champaign County.

A major project that would dot Champaign County's landscape with wind turbines is moving slowly forward, with public hearings on the proposed sites scheduled for late October. The Buckeye Wind Project is undergoing a review process by the Ohio Power Siting Board. It would include building more than 70 wind turbines across six townships in Champaign County.

Three wind turbines went up in February and are nearly ready to start moving. ...Three wind turbines went up in February right beside the power grid they'll feed. All seemed well. "For about two days (laughs). We had a blade failure about the second day the turbines were on. One of the blades actually deteriorated and came apart and they've been down ever since then," says Gunner.

When students pull into the Perkins High School parking lot today, they'll see three wind turbines in front of them, fully assembled for the first time since February. But the blades aren't turning yet, and Perkins Schools superintendent Jim Gunner said the school will proceed cautiously in getting the system back up to full capacity. The original 6-meter blades, some of which blew off during an especially windy day in February, are gone.

Adding 70 wind turbines to the landscape in Champaign County would be the first step toward energy independence, supporters say, but some critics argue the plan could disrupt quality of life. A company called Everpower wants to put the turbines in Union Township, located southeast of Urbana, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported on Tuesday.

North Perry Village voters might decide a proposed citizens referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot to forbid Village Council authorizing a contract or purchase exceeding $250,000 unless local voters approve the expense. ...Orosz said this year's issue revolves around Village Council spending $750,000 for land to join the Perry Joint Development District and agreeing on, but not yet spending an estimated $180,000 to $250,000 for land as a site for a proposed wind turbine.

Construction of the first commercial-scale wind-powered electric generation facility in Ohio could begin as early as next summer in Champaign County if the Ohio Power Siting Board approves the proposal submitted in April by Buckeye Wind, LLC., a subsidiary of Everpower Wind Holdings Inc. which recently finished construction of its first project, located in Pennsylvania. As the first, the decisions made by officials likely will set precedent for future applications and preview the process for any possible future applications in Logan County.

The Jefferson Township Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-1 Tuesday to make corrections to its original approval of Roger Brown's request for a conditional use permit to build a 197-foot-tall meteorological tower on property he owns along State Route 540. ...Zoning regulations allow conditional use permits for projects that can be classified as public service facilities ...but do not specifically mention turbines or meteorological towers.

Within the renewable energy debate is opportunity; the opportunity for communities to utilize their resources not only to address energy efficiency and environmental concerns, but also to stimulate business. According to Avon Lake Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch, there might not be a better opportunity than in Avon Lake. She said she first considered the idea after attending meetings in Cleveland.

Wind turbines won't deface the property proposed for Eaton Corp.'s new headquarters in the Chagrin Highlands. City Council passed deed restrictions Monday, prohibiting the windmills on the site ...City Council is simply following the other property owners who have already taken similar action.

A number of Crawford and Richland County residents have reservations about wind turbines popping up in their farmlands. John Warrington, of Vernon Township, and Brett Heffner, of Jackson Township, conducted a community meeting outside the Vernon Township building Tuesday. More than 40 residents attended to listen to information about the proposed Phase 1 Black Fork Wind Farm project.

The local Lake Erie marshes have long been recognized internationally as some of the best places to see a variety of birds, from migratory warblers to bald eagles. And more recently, developers have recognized the area as one of the best in the state for wind and view it as a prime spot to build turbines. ...Petrie encourages people to question wind projects in their area to make sure they are located in places that make the most sense.