in utilizing off shore wind energy. The Cuyahoga Regional Energy Development Task Force, a 22 member group appointed by the Cuyahoga County Commissioner's Office to study alternative energy sources for the county, recently announced that during next month's Commissioner's meeting they plan to endorse a plan to create a "test-bed" of off shore wind turbines in Lake Erie for scientific development and study.
If this project moves forward it harkens not only the first off shore wind power in the United States but also the first fresh water off shore site in the world. I suppose that I should admit that I am rather surprised, not only that this plan seems to be moving ahead so rapidly but that it shows great potential for the region in terms of job creation and innovation. Perhaps this could be our (second) "big break" that launches Cleveland and the surrounding region back into the spot-light.
While some might cringe at the thought of 240' tall towers (to the hub, add another 150'+ for a turbine blade) sitting around 3 miles off shore I imagine that a row of white turbines lazily rotating on the horizon could be rather beautiful and create an entire new positive image for Northeast Ohio.
While public funding would be a big part of the project, there is a rather obvious connection to certain power related corporate sponsorship and of course access to Ohio's Third Frontier Project.
Reference:
Plain Dealer
|another head's up from MarJ|
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