Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force

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Please mark your calenders:

The October meeting of the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force will be held Thursday, October 8th at 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Lorain County Administration Building, 226 Middle Avenue, Elyria. 4th Floor, Meeting Rooms A & B. Parking garage is for county employees only.

Free parking is available on the corner of 3rd and Middle and 2-hour parking on the street. There is another county lot 3 blocks away. Pay parking is available east of Middle Avenue on Broad Street for $3.00


Minutes of meeting:

GREAT LAKES ENERGY DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

Bill Mason, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor,
Chair Nortech
September 10, 2009

Meeting called to order- 12:15 p.m.

Attendance: Task Force Members

Steve Dever
Christine Nelson
Dave Karpinski
Michael Challender
Mike Wise
John Mitchell
Paul Stanard
Lorry Wagner
Bill Davis
Courtney DeOreo
Stacey Polk
Lorna Wisham
Rose Allen
Seth Mason
Larry Viterna
Mike Gallagher
Garth Woodson
Bob Klaiber
Robert Zadkovich
Greg Zucca

Guests

Neil Dick Dick Consulting
Ed Oliveros
James Sabrey, Esq.
Scott Corniuk SCI
Sarah Taylor Windustrious
Dave Nash McMahon Dugulis
Laurie Atkins Cuyahoga County
Paul Kadis Metal Tech
Eric Rahnenfuehrer
Joe Rustic
Gregg Cullings Cullings Inc.
Jack Krebs
Nick Willis Cuyahoga County
Wasseem Abuzu Interior Designs
Steve Holland
Ron Buzzelli
Jim Gottfried
Henry Butler Attorney at Law
Cris Wright Wright Wind
Allison Mike
Michael Dever Cuyahoga County
Lou McMahon McMahon Dugulis
Ron Chambers
TJ Dillon
Steve Alexander
Emily Aman Tri-C
Matt Cooperrider Sustainable Summit
Jennifer Fenderbosch Lorain Co.
Tom Breckenridge Cleveland PD

Introductions

The minutes from the August meeting were approved.

Steve Dever thanked NorTech for hosting the meeting and encouraged all committees to meet.

Dave Nash spoke about some on-going permitting meetings. We are looking forward to conducting some avian studies that will help with the pilot project and also for commercial projects in the future. We will be sending out an RFP for the studies.

Lorry Wagner chairs the Engineering, Construction and Logistics Committee. Their objective is to compile technical information of relevance to offshore wind energy development in Lake Erie, identify key gaps in relevant technical information, and undertake activities to close such information gaps, to facilitate private sector parties to develop the offshore wind industry in the region.

The issues that they are closely looking at in Europe pertaining to cost are installation, operation and maintenance. This committee is looking at vessels, whether it be locating one or building one. This committee found out that there are only 2 ships in the world that can transport a 5mw turbine. Also, we need to explore available land for staging- where would these turbines be assembled.

Sarah Taylor asked if we are dovetailing with the Canadians regarding collaborating and sharing information. Lorry said we would be interested in doing that.

Ed Oliveros gave a report on the Energy Sustainability Committee. This committee met on September 8th and developed a mission statement. This committee will give recommendations on researched projects, programs and incentives. This committee will also reach out to organizations, institutions and academic strongholds in the region.

Steve Dever told the meeting that the Task Force is constantly researching and checking on grant opportunities.

Larry Viterna gave us an update on the Drive train Facility. This facility will test drive trains that generate gear boxes. The proposed facility could handle up to 15mw. There was a recent proposal submitted to the Department of Energy (Case Western Reserve University, State of Ohio Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland-partners). This money is part of the Recovery Act and the 2 advantages that Cleveland has are:

1. The proposed pilot project
2. Depressed Area

The 3 users of the Drive train Facility would be turbine manufacturers, gearbox manufacturers and testing organizations.

Mike Gallagher, Bayer Material Science, recently received a grant from the Department of Energy. This is an investment in developing lighter blades.

Mike Challender, Lorain County, thanked the Task Force for being regional leaders. Ed Weston has been working hard with Lorain County and developing supply chain and component manufactures. The October Task Force meeting will be held in Lorain County and they are very happy to host. On October 14, 2009 Lorain County will be holding a summit regarding Wind Zoning issues. Please contact Mike Challender for details: mchallender@loraincounty.us

Dave Karpinski spoke about a new and exciting Energy Incentive for the region. Nortech and the Fund for Economic Future with the help of Richard Stuebi from the Cleveland Foundation are looking to drive the grown of economic development through Alternative Energies. They will be looking to Academic Institutions and Manufacturers to help funnel new companies, talent and funding into the region. Also, this incentive will attempt to breakdown the opportunities for alternatives and be their catalyst. For more information, please check on Nortech’s website: www.nortech.org

On September 30, their will be a community engagement in Lakewood including an off-shore wind presentation. Please check lakewoodalive.com for further details.

Rose Allen asked if one of the Task Force committees should include a Legislative committee. Steve Dever explained that all legislative issues should be covered by the Outreach committee. David Geyer has recently been hired by the Cleveland Foundation to execute a regional community engagement plan. He will be at the October Task Force meeting with further details.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

We will be offering a boxed lunch for $10.00. Please be mindful that when you are confirming your attendance, we are ordering a lunch for you.

Please RSVP for the Task Force meeting by Monday, October 5th.


PLEASE NOTE MY EMAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED TO: mjoyce@cuyahogacounty.us


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