LEEDCo secured a submerged lands lease for the project approximately 7 to 10 miles off the coast of downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
The County Council of Erie County, Pennsylvania voted unanimously yesterday to join the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), the non-profit organization based in Northeast Ohio leading the effort to develop the offshore wind industry in Lake Erie. Erie County becomes the first county outside of Ohio to join the public-private partnership.
Membership allows Erie County to coordinate with LEEDCo’s other members and partners to shape a long-term strategy for developing offshore wind projects in Lake Erie. Other LEEDCo members include the Ohio lakefront counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake and Lorain, the City of Cleveland, NorTech and the Cleveland Foundation. County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper will represent Erie County on the LEEDCo Board of Directors.
“Offshore wind is our region’s most abundant clean energy resource, and developing projects in Lake Erie will create jobs, boost the economy, and clean up the environment,” said County Executive Dahlkemper. “Joining LEEDCo gives Erie County a seat at the table to ensure that our local environmental and economic benefits are maximized and that the best interests of the public are protected as the offshore wind industry grows.”
By joining together, the LEEDCo counties can ensure the region’s offshore wind resource is developed in a responsible manner that balances the need for new clean energy resources with the need to protect Lake Erie’s existing uses. With the addition of Erie County, approximately 2.2 million acres of Lake Erie are now within the LEEDCo borders.
Ashtabula County Commissioner Dan Claypool, who has served on the LEEDCo Board of Directors since 2010, said, “LEEDCo has facilitated a remarkable degree of collaboration in Northeast Ohio and we are proud to welcome Erie County to the effort. This decision makes our partnership a multi-state endeavor, which strengthens our work to establish our region as a crucial hub for the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry.”
LEEDCo is currently developing a six-turbine pilot project known as Icebreaker. LEEDCo secured a submerged lands lease for the project in 2014 at a site approximately 7 to 10 miles off the coast of downtown Cleveland. Icebreaker is the first step toward building the offshore wind industry in Lake Erie.
Dr. Lorry Wagner, president of LEEDCo, said, “Erie County has a tremendous offshore wind resource and a network of businesses that could supply parts and services to this exciting new industry. We are eager to partner with Erie County to move the Icebreaker project forward and to explore the long-term possibilities in Pennsylvania.”
LEEDCo
www.leedco.org
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Projects, Uncategorized
