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Local News

Friday, July 03, 2009

Company plans $100M wind farm in Hardin Co.
Scrambler Marie's Breakfast Bistro & Lunch
By JIM MAURER

Staff Writer

DOLA -- A company plans to construct a $100 million wind turbine farm in northern Hardin County which would generate 50 megawatts of electric power, enough for 12,000 homes.

JW Great Lakes Wind, Cleveland, held a public hearing this week to present its plans for the farm, which would be located on about 3,400 acres in northern Hardin County, west of Dola and north of Ohio 81.

The company would construct 19 to 27 wind turbines, project manager Peter Endres said. Each turbine would be 410 to 480 feet high, with 150-foot-long blades.

The Cleveland company would operate the farm and sell electricity generated at the site, he said. The electricity would tie into American Electric Power's Dunkirk substation, south of the Hancock County line.

Other companies also are looking at Hardin County to establish wind farms, said John Hohn, vice president for economic development at Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance.

Five wind-generation companies have options on 45,000 acres of land in the county, he said.

"There is good wind, we're close to power grid lines, and we have received good cooperation from government agencies," Hohn said.

Also, Endres said, there are "few environmental risks," such as sensitive animal or aquatic species, the county is agriculture-based, and there has been community support for development of wind power.

A state law passed last year mandates a percentage of renewable energy be provided by power companies.

"This was the second public hearing," Hohn said. "We're still in the early stages, but we're heading in the right direction."

It has taken about two years to get this far, Hohn said.

The company will seek plan approval from the state's Power Siting Board, which could take eight months to a year.

Construction could begin by late next year or early 2011, Endres said, and electricity production could begin by mid- to late 2011.

About 100 jobs would be created during construction, he said.

Also, the company is acquiring land in southern Hardin County for construction of a second wind farm, Endres said, which would generate about 100 to 150 megawatts of power and cost about twice as much. There are higher voltage transmission lines in the southern portion of the county, he said.

The economic impact for the county could be $12 million, Hohn said, with contracts, materials, food and gas. That is the amount generated by a similar-sized project in New York state.

About four to five full-time jobs would be created at the two wind farms for turbine maintenance and operation, said Endres.

Maurer: 419-427-8420,

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1 Comment

Warren wrote:
Wind Farm Proposal
“ On one hand, this will never happen...I am certain that only ONE person or small group will complain, and the rest of us will need to cowtow to their complaint.

On the other, it probably WILL happen...take perfectly arable land and convert it into a use such as this, while Sen. Feinstein refuses to use the Mohave Desert as a location for a solar farm...the sort of backward thinking that has this country on a fast road to a very hot place! ”
Friday, July 03, 2009 10:20:13 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.