The first freshwater offshore wind farm in North America was approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio yesterday and will take place in Lake Erie off the coast of Cleveland. The proposal of Icebreaker Windpower consists of six-turbine development.
(Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)
LACKAWANNA, NY - JUNE 04: Wind Mills rise over Lake Erie on June 4, 2013 in Lackawanna, New York, near the U.S.-Canada border.
The company stated that it will be a perfect location for the said project as it has "ample available interconnect capacity, large load centers along the coast, growing energy demand due to existing plant retirements, a strong manufacturing base, and limited other sources of renewable energy," according to a report by Electrek.
Backlash from the Villagers
Villagers in Cleveland, specifically from Brahtenahl, opposed the operations as this might harm the birds and bats of the state. The residents claimed that the said project did not have enough evidence regarding the environmental impact that this will cost.
How does the Court React
As per the court, there will only be "a minimal impact" on the public's ability to enjoy the lake as the board properly determined the said project by observing multiple studies presented by Icebreaker Windpower. In the end, the court ruled 6-1.
A 2019 environmental assessment was issued by the US Department of Energy, US Coast Guard, and US Army Corps of Engineers that states that there are no concerns regarding the environment and it is safe to implement.
The Effects of the First Wind Farm in Us
Rhode Island's Block Island Wind Farm, the first US offshore wind farm, claimed that it did not harm the environment rather that the fishes benefited from the said project. Based on a study conducted by the researchers of the ICES Journal of Marine Science, the fish were eating more mussels than usual.
Also Read: Offshore Wind Turbine Farm In Rhode Island Hasn't Harmed The Local Fish Population: Study
Other Wind Farms Supported by the Government
November last year was the ceremony for the Vineyard Wind 1 Launch in Massachusetts. It was a success as it was accompanied by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, State Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and Representative Bill Keating. Haaland said that these kinds of projects might help to build sustainable economies, united communities, and a safer environment.
November last year was the ceremony for the Vineyard Wind 1 Launch in Massachusetts. It was a success as it was accompanied by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, State Governor Charlie Baker, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and Representative Bill Keating. Haaland said that these kinds of projects might help to build sustainable economies, united communities, and a safer environment.
Internationally, these kinds of projects were also heavily supported. An inauguration ceremony was conducted in Denmark for an offshore wind farm called Kriegers Flak. It was led by The Crown Prince of Denmark.
MunmuBaram was also opened in Ulsan, South Korea and was also supported by the statesmen in the country as it can provide jobs for 35,000 people.
Related Article: Vineyard Wind 1, the First US First Commercial-Scale Offshore Wind Farm, Breaks Ground
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Written by Inno Flores
