OHIO EYES WIND AMBITIOUSLY

In the absence of strong national leadership in our fight to claim the future, Ohio -- like many states with dynamic leadership -- is stepping up to take advantage of their New Energy resources.

Ohio Ready to Take World Stage in Wind Energy Development
Caroline Cofer, October 17, 2007 (Ohio Business Development Coalition/PR Newswire via Yahoo News)
and
FirstEnergy to offer wind-energy credits; commercial customers can support production of ‘green’ electricity
October 17, 2007 (Akron Beacon Journal via Ohio.com)

WHO
Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC), (Ed Burghard, executive director); Ohio Governor Ted Strickland; Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Wind Production and Manufacturing Incentive Program; EverPower Renewables (Kevin Sheen, vp); FirstEnergy Corp. & FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. (Charles E. Jones, president)

Ohio has wind. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
- The Ohio Incentive Program has awarded a $5 million grant to the Buckeye Wind Project and the JW Great Lakes Wood County Wind Farm. This is the state’s 1st utility-scale investment in renewables.
- FirstEnergy Solutions is launching SmartWind, a program that offers commercial and industrial electric customers in Ohio and four other states the opportunity to buy renewable-energy credits from wind farms in western Pennsylvania.

WHEN
- The wind projects are expected to be operational June30, 2009.
- FirstEnergy will purchase credits, price not yet determined, equal to all the electricity if uses in its own (Akron) headquarters through 2008.

WHERE
- Both wind projects are located in northwest Ohio.
- A 10-turbine offshore installation is being studied for Lake Erie. It would be the world’s 1st fresh water offshore wind farm.
- FirstEnergy Corp. is based in Akron, Ohio.

WHY
- Ohio wind energy is expected to generate 13,000 new manufacturing jobs in the state.
- Together the 2 wind farms could generate enough electricity for 315,000 homes.
- Led by its governor, Ohio is determined to seize the economic opportunities of renewable energy development.
- SmartWind is a way of financing the development of renewable energy sources.

Potential new manufacturing from Ohio wind energy development. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Gov. Strickland: "Ohio's commitment to wind energy will create economic development opportunities for communities across the state…Ohio's strength in technology innovation, strong manufacturing base and world-class transportation infrastructure have attracted major investments to the state, and we are committed to continuing as a strong partner with Ohio's alternative energy industry."
- Sheen, EverPower: "Ohio's strong manufacturing base and wind availability make the state a natural home for developing wind power…We look forward to helping Ohio harvest the power of wind."
- Burghard, OBDC: "Businesses in the alternative energy industry are recognizing the benefits of locating in Ohio…Owners profit from the state's newly revamped tax code as well as the bottom-line benefits of better work-life balance for their employees. Ohio offers low-cost, low stress communities and a unique mix of micropolitan and metropolitan cities. This diversity provides executives and employees the resources and time to pursue their professional goals and personal aspirations without having to compromise one for the other. Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance."
- Jones, FirstEnergy Solutions: ''SmartWind enables our generation customers to support the production of electricity using wind power…''