A public hearing at Tiffin University’s Marion Center was hosted by the Ohio Power Siting Board Thursday afternoon to hear public testimony from area citizens about Republic Wind LLC’s application to develop a 200-megawatt wind turbine farm in Seneca and Sandusky counties.

General Ohio

“Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC have relinquished the Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need issued for the Buckeye Wind project as construction activities have not commenced as required under the certificates,” according to a statement issued by Viola Baumann of Innogy – the Germany-based parent company of Buckeye Wind.

Legal Ohio

After LEEDCo failed to pay the invoice before the Aug. 26 deadline, Judge Nicholas J. Walstra on Sept. 3 ordered the agency’s review work to be suspended, and set a new payment deadline for Friday, Sept. 13. If the developers fail to pay the bill before then, their application “will be considered before the board for potential dismissal,” according to the Sept. 3 ruling. 

General Ohio

Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC, who collectively sought and received approval to construct the Buckeye I and Buckeye II wind energy facilities, have now withdrawn their applications and surrendered their certificates of environmental compatibility and public need. The notices of withdrawal are available at the document links on this page. 

Legal Ohio

The new resolution states that the commissioners are “in support of public safety by requesting longer setbacks than current law allows.” It also continues to stress the importance of protecting the Seneca County Airport and addresses concerns with any wind turbines within one mile of any K-12 county schools, because it could cause risk or distraction.

Zoning/Planning Ohio

The resolution states that the county will "withdraw all previous support of the Seneca Wind, Republic Wind or any proposed wind turbine projects to the maximum extent allowed by law."

General Ohio

The decision to approve or deny Apex Clean Energy’s Emerson Creek Wind Project, however, falls to the Ohio Power Siting Board in Columbus. But that hasn’t stopped Groton Township trustees — Ron Brown, Roger Rowland and Roger Russell — from approving a resolution making their opposition to the project known.

General Ohio

Seneca Wind, LLC gave notice to the Ohio Power Siting Board that it hereby withdraws its application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the wind-powered generating facility in Seneca County, which was initially filed with the OPSB on July 16, 2018, and amended and modified thereafter.

General Ohio

Seneca Wind a subsidiary of Utah-based sPower, filed its application for the wind farm with the Ohio Power Sitting Board last July. The plans were met with fierce opposition from residents concerned about the size of the turbines and their impact on nature, though supporters of the project attended public meetings to speak on the topic as well.

General Ohio

In early 2018, Seneca Wind LLC initiated the process before the Ohio Power Siting Board to secure authorization to construct and operate a 70 turbine (up to 200 MW) wind energy facility on 25,000 acres of leased land situated in Seneca County, Ohio. This letter submitted to the Siting Board states that Seneca Wind LLC wishes to withdraw its application from consideration.

Legal Ohio

Other parts of the proposed rules call for detailed reporting of wind farm “incidents” as soon as 30 minutes after discovery. The rules state that incidents “include, but are not limited to, events such as tower collapse, turbine failure, thrown blade or hub, collector or feeder line failure, damaging ice throw, nacelle fire, or injury to any person.”

Zoning/Planning Ohio

LEEDCo describes Icebreaker Wind as a “demonstration project” and states among its other missions as an organization are to drive future offshore wind projects in the Great Lakes, creating thousands of jobs and contributing to clean air and water. The problem with the project for the Lake Erie Foundation and others opposed to offshore wind farms here is the potentially devastating impact it could have a migrating birds that traverse the lake.

Offshore Wind Ohio

With the resolution approved by the commission Thursday, any wind project linked to Sandusky County's 2012 alternative energy zone must resubmit an application with the state siting board.

Zoning/Planning Ohio

TIFFIN — The drama of the Seneca Wind Farm controversy rose to a boil at a Tuesday public hearing.

General Ohio

The legislation would support FirstEnergy’s Davis-Besse and Perry plants through a fee added to customer bills beginning in 2021. It would be offset by reducing Ohio’s clean-energy goals to 8.5% instead of the 12.5% target now. The measure also eliminates monthly surcharges to support energy efficiency measures.

Energy Policy Ohio

Greg Smith, a Seneca Anti-Wind Union member, predicted hundreds of people will attend. “[This] has created a big divide within our community, in our politics, turning friend against friend, family against family member,” Mr. Smith said.

General Ohio

A Senate committee on Monday rolled out yet another version of a bill that bails out the state’s two nuclear plants, but now increases support for renewable energy in Ohio while still promising lower electricity bills for consumers.

Energy Policy Ohio

Ohio lawmakers are now considering a controversial energy bill, H.B. 6, that would eliminate or weaken the state’s renewable energy standard — a long-sought move by Republicans that would further undermine wind development there. Another legislative effort would increase the risk faced in siting new projects.

Energy Policy Ohio

In its report, the state agency’s staff recommends denial until the Federal Aviation Administration and the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation are able to complete their analysis of potential impacts to air navigation. The staff also recommended 50 conditions to meet should the board choose to let the project proceed now, anyway.

General Ohio

A group of local citizens have filed to intervene in the proposal for a wind farm in Erie and Huron counties and they have chosen a powerful law firm to represent them.

General Ohio