Ohio is rich in the potential for alternative energy. Farms, landfills and sewage treatment plants are planning, installing and operating methane collectors. From their waste, they are producing electricity. We are just beginning to tap this source of abundant electricity. Land wind is moving ahead and solar panels are being installed on BP fuel Station canopies and Wal-Mart roofs. Fuel cells are on the verge of large-scale production and geo-thermal heating and cooling systems are selling well. New sources of clean burning Natural Gas are being discovered and brought on line. But Ohio has one gargantuan resource that we are ignoring. Ohio’s greatest opportunity is singular; no one else in the world has the great gift of shallow water, high wind and public ownership.
Lake Erie encompasses almost 10,000 square miles of water, virtually all of it owned by the people of Ohio. It is shallow, with average depths of 24 feet in the western basin, 60 feet in the Central Basin and 80 feet in the Eastern Basin. Other lakes in the world are deep. Such depths are not friendly to affordable wind turbines. But Lake Erie is regularly 30 feet deep. This depth is amenable to present technology. Lake Erie is fresh water and therefore does not have the problem of corrosive salt like our seas. Since Lake Erie is shallow throughout, Ohio does not have to build close to the shoreline. Building far from shore abates the concerns of the shore community. Studies show that Lake Erie has some of the best wind potential in the United States. Texas proudly has over 2000 wind turbines. Lake Erie has room for over 3,000 huge wind turbines capable of pollution free electric production.
The Eastern United States needs electricity. The market is growing. It will be supplied. If Ohio does not serve this market, states to the west of us will. Ohio can reap prosperity from aggressively developing our clean, carbon free, electric generating capacity. Or, we will continue to lose jobs and wealth as multiple massive electric distribution lines cross our state to connect the eastern market with western clean energy. It is a time for strong leadership in Ohio. It is a time for decisions.
Jim McGregor
Director
The Ohio League of Conservation Voters
Journey to Antartica in 1959 : NY Times
For the 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen’s and Robert Falcon Scott’s race to the South Pole, which culminated in Amundsen’s arrival on December 14, 1911, Robert A. McCabe has published a book of photographs and journal entries from his trip to Antarctica more than 50 years ago. [...]
2010 1st Annual Legislative Clay Shoot
Ohio LCV would like to thank all the legislators, board members and guests that attended our 1st Annual Legislative Clay Shoot in Loveland, Ohio; held in collaboration with and sponsored by the Ohio Chapter of the National Sportsmen Caucus. All that attended enjoyed a break from the campaign trail while discussing important environmental and conservation [...]
