Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo) says several environmental groups have shown support for Icebreaker, the developer's proposed 18 MW offshore wind pilot project in Lake Erie.
On the company's website, LEEDCo has posted letters backing the project from The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), The Nature Conservancy, Environment Ohio, The Sierra Club, Mom's Clean Air Force, Ohio Interfaith Power & Light, and Earth Day Coalition.
LEEDCo says support from the environmental community is crucial for Icebreaker to secure the permits it needs to begin construction. The letters were included in recently filed permit applications with a number of state and federal regulatory agencies. LEEDCo says those applications also included an environmental assessment determining that the pilot project poses no significant risk to the birds and bats that frequent the area.
"LEEDCo has completed comprehensive studies, which demonstrate that Icebreaker will deliver cleaner air while avoiding harm to wildlife," said Keith Dimoff, executive director at The OEC. "The State of Ohio has an urgent need for more local sources of clean energy, and offshore wind could become a big part of the solution."
LEEDCo notes that it is completing the engineering design, securing power purchase agreements and project finance, and working to develop the local supply chain for Icebreaker. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2017.
