Lake Erie may be the site of a new offshore wind project due to a recently signed option to lease submerged land in Northeast Ohio. This may be good news for individuals who wish to pursue a sustainable business MBA or a career in renewable energy.
The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), a nonprofit organization, and Freshwater Wind, LLC, a private developer, have signed an option with the state of Ohio to lease a specific area for an initial offshore wind project in the lake.
LEEDCo has been spearheading efforts to develop a regional offshore wind sector. Dr. Lorry Wagner, president of the organization, said that she was pleased that the state had granted approval to the lease option.
For Wagner, this project is "a first step towards building a high-growth sector for Ohio." She added that this opportunity has placed the state in a position to bring thousands of jobs to the region.
The first five wind turbines will be installed at the site, which is about seven miles northwest ofthe Cleveland Browns Stadium, in late 2012. Project officials expect the devices to have approximately 20 megawatts of electric energy generating capacity.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, renewable energy is a key piece of the green economy.
