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Local News

Friday, July 03, 2009

Company plans $100M wind farm in Hardin Co.
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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News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.