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Turbines’ fate rests with state board

It could be months before a ruling, which could include rejecting only part of the plan.

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By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer Updated 1:32 AM Sunday, December 6, 2009

URBANA — A proposed plan to install about 70 wind turbines throughout Champaign County has drawn serious debate. However, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) will have plenty of options when making its final decision.

For more than two weeks, experts provided by attorneys on several sides of the issue gave their views on everything from the impact of noise created by the turbines to potential economic impacts. Now that testimony has ended, attorneys will file additional arguments, and administrative law judges who heard the case will present their report to the OPSB for a final recommendation.

Matt Butler, a spokesman for Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, said the board will have plenty of options when making its final decision. Along with testimony provided, the board also will consider a staff report filed earlier this year, as well as public comments that were collected at a hearing at Triad High School.

“The board has flexibility in its decision,” Butler said.

The board could approve or reject the project as a whole. But it can also approve some proposed turbines while preventing others from being built. It can also place conditions on individual turbines proposed in the project.

It could be several weeks or even months before the board comes to a decision.

Chris Walker, an attorney representing Union Neighbors United, which is made up of residents opposed to the project, said the group wants the OPSB to ensure there are safe setbacks between the proposed turbines and nonparticipating residences. The group believes setbacks should be set from property lines, not homes.

“I trust that the board will strike a balance that protects the interests of the local community,” Walker said.

He said Everpower, the New York-based company that applied for the project, has generally not been receptive to concerns of local property owners.

Michael Speerschneider, director of development for Everpower, said that has not been the case.

He noted the company participated in a six-month Champaign County Wind Turbine study group, and set out the project specifically to reduce potential impacts to neighboring properties.

Speerschneider also argued many of the proposed turbines are more than double the minimum distance required by the state. He said the project would provide benefits for the local economy as well.

“All of these considerations make a strong statement about Everpower’s commitment to responsible development, with Champaign County’s benefits at the top of the list,” Speerschneider said.

Contact this report

at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.

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windman-

Thanks for strengthening my point. Turbines do cause problems around people. This is why northern Europe is installing them offshore instead of on land.

I never claimed that the US was not manufacturing turbines. I pointed out that European companies are promoting wind power despite its problems just to make more money.

green and clean
3:02 PM, 12/7/2009

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windman:

green & clean never claimed that there were no US manufacturers. Europeans have a huge share of the US market and as such are extremely motivated to promote industrial wind. Installing turbines offshore creates problems as well, but the point is that these problems are not as great as those caused by onshore installation.

Ohio has an extremely poor wind rating, which should lead you, as a great lover of wind, to wonder why Everpower is proposing these 70 giant turbines here.

the truth hurts
2:52 PM, 12/7/2009

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To: green and clean

Here are the offshore installation problems:

"Installation and maintenance, specific wind turbines for the offshore environment, maritime spatial planning, development of sub-structures for deep water installations, and most importantly, the construction of an offshore grid and interconnectors that
would integrate the huge potential of offshore wind into the European electricity system."

Lastly....DUH, DUH, DUH..northern Europe is surrounded by water.

windman
2:30 PM, 12/7/2009

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To: green and clean:

"GE is already a force to reckon with in onshore wind power: it sells about fifty percent of the new turbines being installed in the US. GE’s global share amounts to about 20 per cent."

You say "European companies promote wind power because they want to export to a huge US market." It seems that US manufacturers are getting their share.

windman
2:14 PM, 12/7/2009

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numbernine:

You are thinking like a progressive American!

the truth hurts
1:04 PM, 12/7/2009

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