News and views, and history and humor, about the lake I love.

"I can hear my granddad's stories of the storms out on Lake Erie, where vessels and cargos and fortunes, and sailors' lives were lost." ~ James Taylor, Millworker

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Windmills on Lake Erie

Photo credit: Freshwaterwind.com
In his last official act as governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland this last January signed an option-to-lease contract between the state and the Lake Erie Energy Development Company (LEEDCo), a step toward the construction of the world's first freshwater wind farm in Lake Erie. The project involves the installation of five wind turbines about six miles north of Lakewood, Ohio, beginning in late 2012, which are expected to produce approximately 20 megawatts of electric generating capacity. Each tower will stand nearly 500 high and will have three blades 181.5 feet in length. The initial project is estimated to create and sustain more than 600 jobs.
Seems like a pretty good idea on its face, but I'd like to know how everyone else feels about it; Commercial and sports fishermen, boaters, etc. We'll be watching this one closely and report developments on this blog.

Pic of the Week

Another shot with Davis-Besse in the background.