A Wind Energy Guide for County Commissioners

Recently the US Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Wind Powering America, and National Association of Counties (NACO) released a report specific to wind energy. The report, entitled Wind Energy Guide for County Commissioners provides a relatively comprehensive guide to defining wind power, myths surrounding it, funding available, permitting, zoning and siting and the all important community outreach programs.

Also included are case studies, environmental and economic benefits. Again, as I use as a disclaimer that I do not believe that there is a single solution to our looming energy crisis (is it looming or has poisoning ourselves and possibly damaging our environment beyond repair indicate a crisis already in occurrence?) but as an Ohioan who happens to be mildly aware of the many local manufacturers of renewable energy products and the ironic fact that yes, there are turbine manufacturers local to my region (although the only turbine currently on display/in use is a second hand model shipped over from the Netherlands whom some sources have indicated was actually originally built here) and one that has looked at the more recent wind studies for 50 - 100m elevations as well as being somewhat aware of the current program studying an offshore windfarm on Lake Erie I have to exclaim that I am beyond AMAZED that not more has been done to utilize our local and regional resources (manufacturers, open lake area and wind patterns) to actually build a dang wind farm.

Sure, Bowling Green has some nice turbines (that is what the teaser photo is of) and Oberlin College is testing the air for feasibility, but a giant behemoth of a city, one with an amazing ability to squeeze resources for "public good projects" (COUGH, "Forgotten Triangle", COUGH) is almost sloth like in its, hesitant approach to further develop a program that could, just possibly could, make Cleveland the forefront in something more then just perpetuating a failing business model, school system and constant poverty.

I know, I know. Dru, your head is in the clouds. Why attempt to utilize our regional resources in a manner that would exemplify Cleveland as a forward thinking city? Why create a place for progressive, young and savvy thinkers to congregate after finishing up at our premiere schools instead of moving off to more expensive cities in search of the "exciting life" we all grew up watching on television? Who would want to live in a place that would constantly be regarded as a destination instead of a secret "underrated city". Who would pay for such a program? Those "fat cats in Washington"?

Maybe.