EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009Groundbreaking Set for Pearl Wind Project, a First for Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
A groundbreaking ceremony is set for 10 a.m. May 15 to install a 140-foot-high wind turbine at Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking, which will become the first business in Cleveland to capture the wind to generate electricity.
The wind turbine, which will sit atop a 140-foot tower, will be installed on a 4.7 acre auto recycling yard at Pearl Road Auto Parts, a fourth generation family-owned business at 5000 Pearl Rd., along Interstate 480. Teaming up on the $295,000 wind project are Jon Kaplan, vice president of Pearl Road and sustainability advocate Stefanie Spear, the project manager and executive director of EcoWatch Ohio.
"Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking is an early adopter and leader in our region for on-site renewable energy generation," Spear said. "This wind turbine project will help to generate other wind projects throughout the region by showing businesses the advantages and viability of investing in wind energy. The Pearl wind project sends a resounding message for the future—we can reduce Ohio’s coal-based energy production through the use of non-polluting, renewable energy." The Vestas V-20 remanufactured wind turbine will generate nearly 100 percent of Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking’s electricity needs and will result in a net annual reduction of more than 100,000 kWh of electricity demand.
This project will also help lower Northeast Ohio’s carbon footprint by reducing carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to global warming and climate change. With an estimated pay back of 6.3 years, the project represents a long-term business decision that is expected to help insure economic viability for Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking.
"This project will reduce demand for carbon-based energy production, increase regional renewable energy generation and create an economic model that proves the investment in wind energy makes good business sense," Kaplan said.
Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking was approved for a grant from the Advanced Energy Fund Program through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Office. The wind turbine is scheduled to begin operating in July.
"This project is especially important because it will be seen by thousands of motorists daily on I-480. The turbine will serve as a vivid reminder that wind energy is playing an important role in the economic revitalization of the Cleveland area, while also indicating that wind energy can be viable for individual businesses or institutions to pursue at their own sites," said Richard Stuebi, Cleveland Foundation’s BP Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement.
The Pearl Wind Project has been the catalyst for Cleveland City Council, City Planning Commission and Office of Sustainability, with the help of Spear, to write wind turbine legislation. "Upon the adoption of Chapter 354A - ‘Wind Energy Facilities’ the city of Cleveland will establish predictable guidelines for the installation of wind turbines in our municipality," said Councilman Matt Zone, the primary sponsor of the legislation. "We want to be a leader in our region in renewable energy sources and make it easier for those who would like to erect wind turbines."
The project has contracted with Northeast Ohio businesses to work on this wind turbine project. Engineering plans were designed by Cleveland’s Alber & Rice, Inc. Great Lakes Construction in Hinckley has been hired to do the foundation and excavating. Donald L. Geitz Architect and Associates in Medina has played a key role in the planning for this project. Affiliated Metals in Cleveland has been hired to fabricate a 60-foot tower extension and foundation rings.
"Our commitment to supporting Northeast Ohio businesses plays an important role in the creation of Ohio’s green economy," Spear said.
Jon Kaplan - As a fourth generation Cleveland business establishment, Pearl Road Auto Parts is pursuing the installation of a small-scale wind turbine and associated commercialization opportunities of this system to many small businesses and farms throughout Ohio and the U.S.
"This project will reduce demand for carbon-based energy production, increase regional renewable energy generation and create an economic model that proves the investment in wind energy makes good business sense," Kaplan said.
Pearl Road Auto Parts and Wrecking was approved for a grant from the Advanced Energy Fund Program through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Office. The wind turbine is scheduled to begin operating in July.
"This project is especially important because it will be seen by thousands of motorists daily on I-480. The turbine will serve as a vivid reminder that wind energy is playing an important role in the economic revitalization of the Cleveland area, while also indicating that wind energy can be viable for individual businesses or institutions to pursue at their own sites," said Richard Stuebi, Cleveland Foundation’s BP Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement.
The Pearl Wind Project has been the catalyst for Cleveland City Council, City Planning Commission and Office of Sustainability, with the help of Spear, to write wind turbine legislation. "Upon the adoption of Chapter 354A - ‘Wind Energy Facilities’ the city of Cleveland will establish predictable guidelines for the installation of wind turbines in our municipality," said Councilman Matt Zone, the primary sponsor of the legislation. "We want to be a leader in our region in renewable energy sources and make it easier for those who would like to erect wind turbines."
The project has contracted with Northeast Ohio businesses to work on this wind turbine project. Engineering plans were designed by Cleveland’s Alber & Rice, Inc. Great Lakes Construction in Hinckley has been hired to do the foundation and excavating. Donald L. Geitz Architect and Associates in Medina has played a key role in the planning for this project. Affiliated Metals in Cleveland has been hired to fabricate a 60-foot tower extension and foundation rings.
"Our commitment to supporting Northeast Ohio businesses plays an important role in the creation of Ohio’s green economy," Spear said.
Jon Kaplan - As a fourth generation Cleveland business establishment, Pearl Road Auto Parts is pursuing the installation of a small-scale wind turbine and associated commercialization opportunities of this system to many small businesses and farms throughout Ohio and the U.S.
This 21st Century vision belongs to Jon, one of the owners of Pearl Road Auto Parts. In the planning stages for many years, Jon’s perseverance has held this vision and his steadfastness will see it through to its fruition. Pearl Road Auto Parts has been implementing innovative and sustainable business practices for more than 75 years. This business has played a major role locally in solid waste reduction and recycling. In addition, Jon has initiated implementing green building design elements in structures, discarded fuel recycling and reduced off-site discharges at Pearl Road. For more information, visit http://www.pearlroadautoparts.com/
Stefanie Spear is founder and executive director of EcoWatch Ohio, publishers of the bimonthly newspaper EcoWatch Journal. Spear has been actively working on environmental issues for more than 20 years. More recently, Spear’s work has focused on ways to expedite the renewable energy industry in Northeast Ohio. Spear will create a model from the Pearl Wind Project that will help other businesses streamline the process of investing in renewable energy technologies and implement energy efficiency. She is working with Cleveland city council members and the planning commission on wind turbine zoning regulations to help expedite wind energy projects in Cleveland. For more information, visit http://www.ecowatchohio.org/
Stefanie Spear is founder and executive director of EcoWatch Ohio, publishers of the bimonthly newspaper EcoWatch Journal. Spear has been actively working on environmental issues for more than 20 years. More recently, Spear’s work has focused on ways to expedite the renewable energy industry in Northeast Ohio. Spear will create a model from the Pearl Wind Project that will help other businesses streamline the process of investing in renewable energy technologies and implement energy efficiency. She is working with Cleveland city council members and the planning commission on wind turbine zoning regulations to help expedite wind energy projects in Cleveland. For more information, visit http://www.ecowatchohio.org/
Alber & Rice Inc. is a professional engineering consulting firm located in Cleveland, Ohio. We have been providing Civil and Structural Engineering services for commercial, retail, institutional, industrial and residential projects since 1998. We are professional engineers registered in OH, PA, NY and WV and have successfully completed over 1,000 projects. For more information, visit http://www.alberandrice.com/
The Great Lakes Construction Co. is a 100% Employee Owned, Heavy Civil Construction firm established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1948. We are actively seeking BOP Wind Power contracts in Ohio and the surrounding Great Lakes region. Our skilled union workforce is committed to being the safest, most capable, low cost contractor while continuing to build Ohio’s transportation, industrial and energy infrastructure. For more information, visit http://www.tglcc.com/
Affiliated Metal Industries, Inc. is proud to be the steel fabrication partner for the Pearl Wind Project as we celebrate our 50th year of serving manufactures, contractors, governmental bodies and project owners around the world. We are a provider of domestic fabricated steel for wind turbine supports, large scale solar and thin film PV tension fabric structures. As we embark on our next half century, we are dedicated to providing cost effective solutions for alternative energy markets by promoting and working with these innovative and environmentally friendly technologies while also creating economic benefits for the State of Ohio. For more information, visit http://www.affiliatedmetal.com/
Donald L. Geitz & Associates - Donald L. Geitz has been a local architect for 38 years.
He is registered in several states, and specializes in residential and commercial projects.
The Job Shop is owned and operated by Phillip Kraft and is located in Northeast Ohio. Phillip is an electrical contractor with more than 30 years experience with electrical and hi-rise lighting. Phillip is interested in helping other businesses with wind turbine projects or any other electrical services including residential and commercial. For more information, email pkraft52@yahoo.com
He is registered in several states, and specializes in residential and commercial projects.
The Job Shop is owned and operated by Phillip Kraft and is located in Northeast Ohio. Phillip is an electrical contractor with more than 30 years experience with electrical and hi-rise lighting. Phillip is interested in helping other businesses with wind turbine projects or any other electrical services including residential and commercial. For more information, email pkraft52@yahoo.com
Contact Information:
Stefanie Spear
216-387-1609
