WKSU News: Lake Erie's wind project needs Ohio's help with permits

Monday, January 28, 2013 Lake Erie's wind project needs Ohio's help with permits Ohio's off-shore wind farm is competing for nearly $50 million from the feds by WKSU's JEFF ST. CLAIR	Reporter / Host Jeff St. Clair

The company planning to place wind turbines in Lake Erie is gearing up to meet a deadline for federal funds to help pay for the project.

The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation, or LEEDCo, today named former NorTech energy consultant David Karpinski vice president of operations.

Karpinski says LEEDCo has one year to complete engineering designs and get the state permits to qualify for a nearly $50 million federal grant. He says part of his job is to make sure regulators in Columbus are on board with the project.

“We really look to the state now to work with us, to help us get these permit applications floated through quickly, and (to be) ... responsive and help make this happen."

He says the project isn't expecting state investment. "We understand that’s not something they are willing to do at the time, so let’s focus on what the project really needs, which is those permits.”

The Lake Erie project is one of seven offshore wind projects nationwide competing for $180 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. Three will be selected to move forward.

Karpinski says it will cost between $100 million and $150 million to build up to nine wind turbines seven miles into Lake Erie.

If selected, LEEDCo will begin construction in 2015.