President, Governor

encourage green endeavors


As individuals and communities carry the torch for green energy, it’s nice to know that state and national leaders are also looking in the same direction.

President Barack Obama, speaking at a company that builds wind turbine parts in Bedford Heights, Ohio in January 2009, touted the positive potential of green energy, saying that “a renewable energy economy isn’t some pie-in-the-sky, far-off future. It’s happening all across America right now. It’s providing alternatives to foreign oil now. It can create millions of additional jobs and entire new industries if we act right now.”

The President went on to offer more encouraging remarks:

“That starts with new, clean sources of energy. We know that the possibilities here are limitless. Here in Ohio and across America, we’ve seen old factories become new clean energy producers. We’ve seen entrepreneurs turning solar energy into electricity, and corn and soybeans into bio-fuels. Our scientists and engineers are hard at work developing cars that use less gas, homes and appliances that require less energy, schools and offices that are greener and more efficient than ever before.

“But we also know that we are nowhere near realizing the full potential of their work. Take the example of wind power alone: I’m told that if we don’t act now, because of the economic downturn, half of the wind projects planned for 2009 could wind up being abandoned. Think about that. Think about all the businesses that wouldn’t come to be, all the jobs that wouldn’t be created, all the clean energy we wouldn’t produce.

“And think of what’s happening in countries like Spain, Germany and Japan, where they’re making real investments in renewable energy. They’re surging ahead of us, poised to take the lead in these new industries.

“This isn’t because they’re smarter than us, or work harder than us, or are more innovative than we are. It’s because their governments have harnessed their people’s hard work and ingenuity with bold investments — investments that are paying off in good, high-wage jobs — jobs they won’t lose to other countries.

“There is no reason we can’t do the same thing right here in America. That’s why, as part of our Recovery and Reinvestment plan, we’re committing to double the production of renewable energy in the next three years, and to modernize more than 75% of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes.

“In the process, we’ll put nearly half a million people to work building wind turbines and solar panels; constructing fuel-efficient cars and buildings; and developing the new energy technologies that will lead to new jobs, more savings, and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain.

Here at Cardinal Fastener, that could mean going from operating at 50 percent capacity to 90 percent capacity and creating even more good, made-in-America jobs right here in Ohio.

“Now, given the magnitude of the challenges we face, none of this will come easy. Recovery won’t happen overnight, and it’s likely that, even with these measures, things will get worse before they get better….

“But if anyone doubts that we can dig ourselves out of this hole, I invite them to come here to Ohio and look what you’ve done at Cardinal Fastener. I know it hasn’t been easy — and it hasn’t been without risk. But you’ve set your sights on the future, and you haven’t looked back. In an economy that’s losing jobs, you’re creating them. And they’re the kind of jobs that don’t just support families and sustain communities — but also help transform our economy, spurring growth not just today, but for decades to come.

“That’s what we’ve always done in moments like this. We’ve looked ahead to the next big idea, that next new breakthrough. We’ve experimented and innovated, and when we’ve failed, we’ve picked ourselves up and tried again. And I know that if we can summon that determination and that great American spirit once again, we will meet the challenges of our time and build a better future for our children.”

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has also touted the virtues of green energy: "There will come a day when Ohio will be the undisputed home of advanced energy," the governor said in January. "A day when we will have cast off those two tired little words that have been used to put us down -- Rust Belt -- because that's not who we are. A day when the iconic image of the Texas oil rig will be eclipsed by the Ohio-made wind turbine and solar panel."

Wind and solar project

could plow new ground

for community


Greenfield City Council has given the go-ahead to a project that may brighten the community’s future.

In May, the council approved legislation that City Manager Betty Bishop described as an "aggressive economic development project that if successful could drastically change the economic future and landscape of the city of Greenfield as well as the surrounding area."

Bishop proposed, and council approved, moving forward with a feasibility study for the Green Field Alternative Energy Resource and Education Center. The center would be located on 87 acres off Lovers Lane in the Greenfield Industrial Park and would be home to eight to 11 energy-generating wind turbines.

Bishop said it was estimated that each turbine could produce $125,000 worth of electricity per year.

"This is something I thought about 10 years ago," Bishop said, "But when I approached DP&L, they said, ‘You're way ahead of your time.'"

Bishop continued thinking about wind and solar energy options and discussed her ideas with other community members, who like the idea of putting current technology to work to create jobs, generate power, and develop an energy classroom in partnership with one or more educational institutions.

One of the people approached by Bishop was Ron Coffey, who likes her way of thinking. "Greenfield has had some amazing success stories, such as Edward Lee McClain’s innovative horse collar pads and Fred Patterson’s company that built cars and buses,” Coffey said. “The project proposed by Betty interests me because it offers the potential for new jobs and generation of energy in the short term and could provide a long-term niche for Greenfield as a sort of energy classroom where techniques are developed and refined,” Coffey said.

"History has shown us that industries come and go," Coffey added. "The implied lesson is that we must be flexible and proactive as we move forward. It seems to me that America and the world have an insatiable appetite for energy that will continue for a long time. If we can help give the world more clean energy, this could mean a bright future for our community and our region.

"I think Betty’s proposal is worth studying. We are fortunate to have some home-grown talent to assist with the science, some willing government officials, and a lot of volunteer help. Anything that can help create jobs for the community is worth investigating."

Bishop said Coffey encouraged her to speak with Paul McPherson, a McClain High School and graduate student at Purdue University. "Paul's project at Purdue was to build a wind energy business," Bishop said. "He came into my office with a 'computer stick' (Flash drive) and showed me several files on wind turbines and wind energy. Paul said he wouldn't charge anything and he volunteered to work on the project. This was probably in late January or early February."

Bishop continued to gather information and work behind the scenes on the project. She met with local business owners and community leaders, including Steve Hunter. Hunter's son, Mark, another McClain graduate and also an Ohio Northern University graduate, agreed to work on solar energy possibilities while McPherson concentrated on the wind energy project.

"Our preliminary studies have been very positive," Bishop said. "To be successful, we're told we need an average wind speed of 2 to 3 mph. Our preliminary study shows an average of 6 to 7 mph."

Bishop then enlisted the assistance of Dr. Kevin Boys, president of Southern State Community College, as well as Rafeal L. Underwood, the region's economic recovery coordinator. On Earth Day (April 22), a group of 16 or 17 people met to plan the initial phase of the project.

"Dr. Boys has been great to work with and I've had Ron Coffey working with me, side by side. Ron has agreed to work on this and he's the right person for it."

"We think a feasibility study will cost about $100,000," Bishop said. "We will apply for grants from the EDA (Economic Development Administration) for this. Rafeal estimated the feasibility study would take about a year. We're plowing ground that's not been plowed before in Greenfield."

Since getting the go-ahead to investigate green energy possibilities, Bishop and others have been meeting with specialists in the field, attending meetings and visiting solar and wind farms.

In June, Paul McPherson spoke to Greenfield City Council to update members on developments to date and touched on both short-term and long-term goals for the green energy project. He feels that revenue from the wind turbine project could create enough funds for the city to reinvest in itself and businesses, thereby creating jobs. 

The immediate goal of the center would be to conduct a feasibility study, according to McPherson, which would include identifying zone requirements, submission of an FAA form to obtain clearance from Federal Aviation Administration and the Ohio Department of Transportation division of aviation to proceed with development projects, analysis of utility bills, site visit and research, evaluation of local wind resources, identifying wind turbine options, calculating energy production estimates, identifying utility interconnection requirements, performing a financial analysis — including the cost to install and operate a turbine payback period and return on investment.

McPherson estimated the feasibility study would take approximately six months to complete. Once the study is completed and funding resources are obtained, McPherson said, the city would "begin looking for developers to erect such a site. Starting small with the city land with approximately five to seven wind turbines and several solar panel, depending on how turbines and solar panels can be positioned to achieve maximum efficiency." 

During this preliminary study McPherson said he used the cost of wind energy in Indiana as a base to see if the center in Greenfield would be profitable, and all indicators thus far show the project would be profitable. Generators of electricity in Indiana currently charge in the area of .5 cents a kilowatt hour, he said, and that electric companies are not obligated to buy in-state. So the rates the city charges would have to be competitive. 

McPherson presented council with a map from the National Weather Center that shows Ohio's wind energy resource and potential, based on the "mean of wind speed at 100 meter height." Most of Highland County, according to the map, has speeds in the range of 14.5 to 15.7 miles per hour, which McPherson said, "are not the best" but could be profitable. One of the positive aspects of the area for the project, he said, is that there are so many miles of open farm land. Most areas in the country with the highest wind speeds, he said, are already developed and cannot be used for turbine installation. The current landscape of Greenfield and surrounding areas could easily be developed, and building partnerships with other communities and surrounding cities could create a positive environment for expansion. 

The project would not create a lot of long-term jobs in the area, though maintenance crews and manager positions would be needed to maintain the turbines, and there would be some short-term construction jobs that could potentially last for years, McPherson said. 

The main benefit to the city would be in the revenue created from the project that would be used to reinvest in the city, he said. 

A key component to the development of the project would be in gaining the trust and support of area farmers, who could receive stipends of $3,000 to $5,000 for locating turbines on their land. McPherson said farmers need to be made aware that they can continue to raise crops or cattle on their land, there is "little or no risk involved," there are possible tax incentives and that this is a way of working with the community to support Green energy to help promote economic development. 

The "true profit" in the project is being the owner of the completed project, as "the true money is in being the developer and owning the devices producing the electricity, McPherson feels.

"While the project itself will not create an abundance of full-time positions, and the profits will probably enter the general funds of the city, a substantial portion of revenue from the projects should be used to reinvest in the community and help bring new business ventures to Greenfield that provides the needed jobs to the area,” McPherson said.

"This project is an attempt to revitalize the local economy and be an example for cities throughout the Midwest at how a small town can become more self-sustaining for both revenue stream and energy production. This project also has the potential to be a model for how government, education and private sector can work together to develop a stronger community."