Lake Erie - The Saudi Arabia of Wind Power

Yes, that's what U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D - OH) said yesterday at Bowling Green State University's Firelands campus.

From ToledoBlade.com:

But no more wind turbines should be built along the lake shoreline until all potential impacts on wildlife have been studied in depth, Miss Kaptur added. The same goes for entertaining any proposals to install them in the open waters of the Great Lakes, she added.

Marcy, Marcy, Marcy! You're not being real!

To be the Saudi Arabia of wind power, thousands upon thousands of wind turbines would have to be constructed, operated and maintained. There is no way to avoid chopping up massive numbers of birds since primary flight corridors for migration of many species cross Lake Erie. There is also the NIMBY factor (not in my back yard) to consider. How many Ohioans want to see these tall structures in their backyards? Not many, I'd guess.

Currently, the largest modern wind turbines generate around five megawatts of electricity. To replace the power generated by one large base-loaded fossil or nuclear facility, at least 200 of the largest wind turbines would be needed and the wind would have to blow all the time. Typically, these large units are operated in locations with low population density such as in the mountains or offshore. Frankly, I don't believe the Lake Erie coastline qualifies as being low population density and the public would fight the idea.

Agreed, it's politically prudent to support trendy alternative energy initiatives and it's expected that rhetoric will be packed with exaggerations. Nevertheless, comparing potential Lake Erie wind power to Saudi Arabia's oil production is beyond hyperbole.

And, even though I don't think there's a chance of wind energy being a large source of power for Ohio, I support it as being part of the mix. That is, as long as it pays for itself.