GREAT LAKES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Hello everybody,

Please mark your calenders:

The July meeting of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force will be held Thursday, July 9th at 12:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held at Progressive Field.


Parking in Gateway East Garage - $4, Enter the Club Lounge under the green canopy on Carnegie Ave. The meeting will be held in the Press Function Room on the service level, there will be staff to direct you.

Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10.00 per person. No checks or credit cards will be accepted and correct change would be appreciated.

Please RSVP by Thursday, July 2nd
This is very important. We must give the caterers the lunch order by Thursday.
If you RSVP after Thursday, July 2, please do not expect a lunch.

If you have any questions, please call.
Thanks, Maureen
216-443-7868


The June meeting minutes:


GREAT LAKES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Bill Mason, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, Chair
June 11, 2009, Thompson Hine, LLP

Meeting called to order- 12:20 p.m.

Attendance: Task Force Members

Steve Dever
Joyce Burke-Jones
Greg Zucca
Paul Oyaski
Lorry Wagner
Nick Willis
Dave Karpinski
Ed Weston
Harry Conard
Richard Stuebi
Shilpa Kedar
Michael Challender
Harriet Applegate

Guests

1. Paul Stanard Great Lakes Construction
2. Cynthia Trotta IBC Solar
3. Dave Sterio Lincoln Electric
4. Seth Mason Lincoln Electric
5. Hon. Ken Callahan
6. Bill Eger City of Cleveland
7. Jennifer Fenderbosch City of Avon Lake
8. Katie Arthurs Green Energy Ohio
9. Aaron Godwin Renaissance Group
10. Krystal Naylor Renaissance Group
11. Mike Gallagher Bayer Material
12. Ed Oliveros
13. Christine Nelson Team Neo
14. Dean Williams Thompson Hine
15. Dennis Flores City of Lorain, Ohio
16. Tom Whitby Lake Erie Electric
17. Jamie Callender Buckley King
18. Robert Zadkovich Great Lakes Towing
19. Margie Flynn Brown Flynn
20. Ron Buzzelli
21. Neil Dick
22. Jim Cusick Ironworkers
23. Jack Krebs
24. Nick Scarietta
25. Lou McMahon McMahon Dugulis
26. Athan Barkoukis
27. Rich Barton
28. Mick Wise Ocean Energy Systems
29. Paul Alsenas Cuyahoga County
30. Erin Davis Cuyahoga County
31. Heidi Spackman
32. Marcia Koly
33. Scott Sanders
34. Rose Allen
35. James Sabrey
36. Stefanie Spear
37. Stacey Polk
38. Henry Butler
39. Taylor Makmacher
40. Lorna Wisham First Energy



Introductions

Steve Dever welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The minutes from the May meeting were approved.

Steve introduced Christine Nelson, Director Team NEO, to the podium. Christine is very optimistic about the feedback from the recent AWEA 2009 conference. She explained that Ohio is a hot spot in the industry because of our supply chain manufacturers. Ohio registered over 500 leads from the conference. Out of those 500 leads, 63 were established to be “A” leads. An “ A” lead is a manufacturer or developer that could start up within 12 to 18 months. Out of the 63 leads, 10 are considered true leads because they are willing to consider Ohio within a year. Team NEO, the Ohio Wind Network and the Greater Cleveland Partnership are all working with these leads.

Richard Stuebi asked if anymore help was needed with the 10 leads and how do we strengthen our case in Ohio? Christine said right now we do not have shovel ready sites. We also need to concentrate on workforce training.

Attached to the agenda is a Task Force survey. Appointments and re-appointments to the 2009-2010 Task Force will be approved by the Commissioners in August. Please take a moment to fill out the survey, which will also be sent out by e-mail.

Steve Dever was recently in Milwaukee and emphasized the need to build a wind market here in Ohio. We also need to create a predictable, known permitting process and we are currently in talks with ODNR and the Army Corp of Engineers.

Lorry Wagner spoke about the fast path to the pilot project is a process of pioneering permitting. There are currently 400 square miles in Lake Erie. We need to determine which sites are best for development. There is no way to tell which Great Lakes states are ahead in the wind fight, because all states have different Natural Resource requirements. We need to keep an eye on what is happening around us and be prepared to adjust our legislation accordingly.
Aaron Godwin reminded the meeting that ODNR and Fish and Wildlife language has changed and that these groups are currently pre-prioritizing.

Steve showed the Task Force a screen which showed favorable sites for the pilot project. The slide was created by ODNR. Steve also showed a screen from ODNR which listed required studies and their timelines, depending on site selection. Lou McMahon said environmental agencies are scrambling to help developers boost the wind industry.

Richard Stuebi gave a brief overview on a recent visit to Washington DC to meet with Ohio congressional representatives and delegations. Also attended by Steve Dever, Greg Zucca and Jim McCafferty. One of the key messages was this project was not all about generating wind, but job creation and creating an sustainable industry. Washington is now really focusing on clean energy and we need a commitment from our government leaders that they will help build a wind market. The Department of Energy really needs to design a roadmap for off-shore wind. No research and development monies have been spent by the government for off-shore and we need to get competitive. Northeast Ohio needs to work on tightening their messaging for off-shore.


Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call.
Thanks, Maureen
216-443-7868

Will the World's First Freshwater Wind Farm Be Built in Lake Erie Off the Shore of Cleveland?

The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force
released its final feasibility study on its Offshore Wind Pilot
Project.

In early 2008, juwi, a renewable energy projects
developer, was hired by Cuyahoga County to perform a
feasibility study for the Great Lakes Wind Energy Center.

The proposed pilot offshore wind energy project in Lake
Erie would generate 5 to 20 megawatts three to five miles
from downtown Cleveland.

The final report presents a summary of results from the
feasibility study across a variety of technical and economic
disciplines following a one year
study period. The report indicates
that a pilot project is technically
and environmentally feasible,
pending further studies of selected
issues, approvals by regulatory
agencies, and solutions to make
the project more economically
viable.

The study estimates capital
costs of a potential pilot project
between $77.2-92.7 million
(depending on turbine size),
representing design and construction,
associated infrastructure and
onshore facilities, as well as other
costs. The investments associated
with a potential pilot project will
help accelerate an offshore wind
industry in the Great Lakes, provide
solutions to technical challenges, and further identify
the viability of large-scale wind energy development. With
a strong manufacturing base, and many companies already
supplying components to the wind industry, Northeast Ohio
is primed to become a leader in research, manufacturing
and job growth related to wind energy development.
Below are some questions and answers that provide additional
information about the Offshore Wind Pilot Project.


Q. Why does Cuyahoga County want to be the
first to create a freshwater wind farm?

A. The county is committed to driving economic development
in our region. With a long history of industrial
manufacturing and dozens of companies already supplying
components to the wind industry, our region is primed
to become a leader in the offshore wind industry, and is
dedicated to become active in this pursuit.


Q. If Cuyahoga County wants to establish a hub
for wind energy here in Cleveland, how many
jobs will it bring to Northeast Ohio?

A. It is impossible to precisely quantify how many jobs will
be created through an offshore wind industry. However, to
illustrate the potential economic impact, the British Wind
Energy Association retained Bain & Company in 2008 to
conduct a study on this issue. The study concluded that
aggressive development of offshore wind energy markets
in the U.K. by 2020 (34 gigawatts) would generate about
57,000 jobs. Given the theoretical wind resource potential
in the Great Lakes is well over 100 GW, it is not a stretch to
say that tens of thousands of jobs could be possible in the
coming decades to serve a Great Lakes offshore wind
industry. We, in Northeast Ohio, can capture a disproportionate
share of that opportunity, if we move promptly to
maintain a leadership position.


Q. Who is going to pay for the pilot project? And
how much will it cost?

A. The task force and its project partners will continue to
investigate funding sources for a potential pilot project.
In the final report, a total of eight potential pilot project
scenarios were evaluated, representing a range in capital
investment of $77.2 - $92.7 million. While capital estimates
can be made regarding a potential pilot project, other
indeterminate factors, including federal stimulus money,
grant funding availability, policies to enhance the economic
appeal of offshore wind, and other private and public
investments could contribute to the overall amount required
for financing.
Q. Who is going to buy the power generated by
the turbines?
A. The task force is continuing to explore opportunities
with Cleveland Public Power and Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company. The task force is pleased by the interest
expressed by these two companies, and by their cooperation
in completing the feasibility study.
Q. How would the pilot project wind turbines
affect Lake Erie’s bird populations?
A. Based on the conclusions of the avian risk assessment
for the proposed project site, the findings do not indicate
that habitat loss, barrier effect and collision mortality pose
significant risk to the current avian populations inhabiting
the project site and its surrounding area. Except in winter,
when waterbirds concentrate at warm-water outlets that
remain ice-free, and in fall migration, when large numbers
of common waterfowl and gulls stage on Lake Erie, waterbird
diversity and abundance along the highly developed
Cleveland lakefront is dominated by a few common species.
Studies indicate that this diversity and abundance decrease
with distance from the lakefront as
water becomes deeper offshore. Few
waterbirds are able to forage farther
from the lakeshore. At the project site,
two to five miles offshore in water
depths exceeding 33 feet, very few
birds will be using these waters. In winter,
the site will lack waterbirds; however,
when the lake is ice-free, some
species, mainly gulls, may forage or
even attempt to perch on the turbines.


Q. How will the potential turbine
locations affect recreational
users of the Lake?

A. As the final feasibility study shows,
all of the proposed turbine configurations
are preliminary pilot project recommendations,
not absolute locations.
In addition, the proposed sites include
considerations for sailboat race courses,
the Audubon Ohio Important Bird Area, shipping lanes and
other issues. While the sites are merely preliminary locations,
the task force and its project partners will consult
commercial and recreational users of the lake before making
any recommendations for moving forward with a pilot
project.


Q. What is the time line associated with the
construction of the pilot project?

A. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, chair of the
Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force, emphasized
much has to be done before turbines are in the water but
hopes to see it happen in 2010. Negotiations are ongoing
with manufactures. Mason said he believes that by the end
of 2009 a turbine manufacturer will be on board.


Q. How will the public be engaged in the future
development of this project?

A. The task force is committed to engaging the public and
all valued stakeholders in the future development of a pilot
project. Our course of action will depend on a variety of
factors, but we look forward to maintaining transparency in
all efforts to share information with the public.


For more information, visit www.development.
cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/energy-task-force.aspx.

Green wave hits Sheffield Lake,Ohio

Wind turbines in Sheffield Lake!




Congratulations Sheffield Lake!



The wave of the future was a welcomed site today with the installation of 2 small wind turbines in Sheffield Lake, Ohio.



Under the sound of the waves crashing against the boat launch pier a low humming was evident as the winds swept over head.




















the 45 ft tower of power...


















the base


"Tuesday's Gone With The Wind" Lynyrd Skynyrd
1973 lyrics written by Allen Collins & Ron Van Vant


MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW AS UPDATES BECOME AVAILABLE.

Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force

The June meeting of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force will be held Thursday, June 11th at 12:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held at Thompson Hine, LLC 3900 Key Center, 127 Public Square.

A picture ID will be required to enter the building.

Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10.00 per person.

No checks or credit cards will be accepted and correct change would be appreciated.Please RSVP by Monday, June 8. This is very important. We must give the caterers the lunch order by Monday. If you RSVP after Monday June the 8, please do not expect a lunch.

If you have any questions, please call.
Maureen 216-443-7868