Ohio siting board approves three wind projects

OHIO - The Ohio Power Siting Board approved three wind power projects totaling more than 450 megawatts to help the state meet a mandate calling for more electricity from alternative energy resources, like wind, by 2025.

The projects approved include:

• The EverPower Buckeye Wind Project to be built in eastern Champaign County which is expected to have a capacity between 100 and 135 megawatts;

• The 300-MW Hardin Wind Energy facility in Hardin County;

• The 48-MW JW Great Lakes Wind facility, also in Hardin County.

The siting board action "is an important step forward for Ohio's alternative energy industry," said board chairman Alan R. Schriber in a statement.

"Wind projects such as this provide clean, renewable electricity and help to ensure Ohio meets the new alternative energy portfolio standard," he said.

Ohio's 25-percent alternative energy portfolio standard calls for half of the energy to come from renewable energy sources and one half of the renewable energy facilities must be located in Ohio, according to a siting board release.

"Today's decision moves us one step closer to construction of the Buckeye Wind project," said James Spencer, EverPower chief executive, in a statement. EverPower was the first wind developer to file an application with the siting board about a year ago, the company said.

EverPower plans to break ground on the facility later this year after obtaining final environmental approvals and meeting certain conditions spelled out by the siting board.