Upcoming hearing will give senators information about windmills in Lake Erie

Various wind turbine developers have expressed interest in building windmills off of Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie coastline, and they would have to secure leases from the state allowing them to do that. Problem is, right now there aren’t any standards for what these leases would involve.

That’s why two state senators are hosting a public hearing about wind energy off the Lake Erie shore. Sens. Jane Earll of Erie County and Mary Jo White, whose district includes pieces of six northwestern PA counties, will put on the March 14 hearing at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center near Presque Isle State Park.

Regina Smith, Earll’s special projects coordinator, says the hearing will give lawmakers information about the possible effects of offshore windmills before they start the process of writing legislation to allow them. A bill concerning offshore wind turbines was introduced before the current legislative session started in January, but it died before becoming law.

The full slate of speakers hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Smith expects there to be representation from industry groups, environmental activists and state agencies. People who want to express their opinions on the issue can also send their thoughts by e-mail or postal mail.

“We’d like to hear from all sides,” Smith says. “We do want to know how people are feeling about this.”

Source: Regina Smith, office of Sen. Jane Earll
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen