Statement from the Ohio Environmental Council and Sierra Club on the Revised Settlement in Project Icebreaker

Cassie Kelly, May 15, 2019

Columbus, Ohio — A revised agreement has been reached between Icebreaker Windpower, Inc. and intervening parties in Icebreaker’s application to construct six offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie before the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB). The revised stipulation, filed today, signifies an important step for the project, and brings Ohio closer to a new opportunity to generate clean, renewable electricity in the state.

The agreement was joined by business, environmental, and labor groups, as well as Icebreaker and the OPSB Staff. It provides important wildlife protections and moves the project another step toward certification by the OPSB.

The following statement can be attributed in full, or in part, to Miranda Leppla, Lead Energy Counsel at the Ohio Environmental Council:

“The OEC is pleased to join in the revised agreement today which also includes the Ohio Power Siting Board Staff. The agreement contains important protective and precautionary measures for wildlife and Lake Erie, and allows this innovative project to move forward in the siting process.”

“The OEC looks forward to the next steps in the OPSB process, and continuing to do our part in bringing clean, renewable power to Ohioans and continuing to combat climate impacts here in the Midwest.”

The following statement can be attributed in full, or in part, to Jocelyn Travis, Cleveland Ready For 100 Campaign Manager at the Sierra Club:

“The Icebreaker Wind Project is an excellent opportunity to help meet Cleveland’s commitment to powering itself with 100% renewable electricity. Cleveland communities face serious environmental challenges resulting from pollution and toxins that stem from the city’s longstanding reliance on dirty fuels — building a local clean energy economy can help address these problems and build a safer, healthier, and more equitable city. This project is an important first step.

The filed stipulation with the Ohio Power Siting Board can be found here.