The following is a guest article by Elysia Niemi:
Ohio Receives $13 Million For Solar and Wind Projects
Author: Elysia NiemiCleveland, Ohio - Governor Ted Strickland today announced that 25 Ohio projects will receive more than $13 million in grant awards funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's State Energy Program.
"We are shaping Ohio's future by strengthening our advanced energy economy today. Supporting the growing wind and solar industries creates jobs, creates energy and reduces costs for hard-working Ohioans," Strickland said. "These Recovery Act-funded projects take the state another vital step toward our goal of making Ohio a world center for advanced energy."
US Representatives Betty Sutton and Marcia Fudge, Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel, the governor's energy advisor Mark Shanahan, and other community leaders and elected officials joined the governor and Lincoln Electric Chairman and CEO John Stropki for today's announcement in Cleveland. Lincoln Electric will receive a $1 million grant for its wind turbine installation project.
These renewable energy awards are the first to be awarded from Ohio's $96 million State Energy Program, which was accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy on June 26th.
"We are excited to have this opportunity under Ohio's energy program to demonstrate the value of wind energy by investing in our own installation," Stropki said. "This project is a continuation of other Lincoln EHS programs and green initiatives currently under way in our manufacturing operations to improve our costs and protect our environment. Not only will the wind project provide long-term benefits by reducing our energy costs, it will also showcase the unique benefits that Lincoln products and welding solutions provide to wind tower manufacturers to improve their quality and lower their costs."
Public and private entities will use the funds to install wind electric, solar electric and solar thermal technologies at businesses, schools, parks and other public locations throughout Ohio.
"Ohio is an impact state for advanced energy job creation potential," Patt-McDaniel said. "Our state's manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce, and competitive business environment make Ohio a major competitor in the growth of our nation's new energy economy."
Proposals for Deploying Renewable Energy: Wind and Solar component of the program were accepted beginning August 25, 2009. Projects submitted were selected through a competitive review process based on several criteria: project readiness and ability to be completed within 12 months, a matching investment of at least 50 percent, and direct economic impacts to create and retain jobs in Ohio.
Governor Strickland acknowledged that these awards would not have been possible without the support of members of Ohio's Congressional delegation and President Barack Obama for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"The Wind and Solar Awards afford Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio an opportunity to create jobs in a burgeoning field. By investing in energy, we will promote an industry of endless possibilities, create sustainable jobs, and retrain workers to enter this expanding 'green' workforce," said Representative Fudge (OH-11).
"Today's announcement of $1 million for the solar energy project that will be installed in Akron Metro's facility is great news," Representative Sutton said. "It is projected that these solar panels could save up to 33 percent in energy costs. The projects announced today will strengthen Ohio's advanced and renewable energy sectors, facilitate job creation and retention, and reduce energy costs along with greenhouse gas emissions."
Awarded projects meet the federal goals of the Recovery Act's State Energy Program to accelerate renewable energy development in Ohio by creating or preserving jobs and reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
"Expanding the use of wind and solar energy across Ohio will create jobs in an expanding global market, positioning Ohio for growth for years to come," Shanahan said. "Recovery Act resources are helping Ohio communities make their own renewable energy while accelerating market-driven job creation in our state."
A list of award recipients follows below:
WIND PROJECTS
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROJECTS
SOLAR THERMAL PROJECTS
- Great Lakes Brewing Company (Cuyahoga County) - $190,082 to install two hot water heating systems.
- Parkway Local Schools (Mercer County) - $16,080 to install a solar thermal system.
About the Author:Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar panel resources and solar energy page contains articles and tools to help with your solar project.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Ohio Receives $13 Million For Solar and Wind Projects
