The new report on Ohio's wind energy future shows the strong winds blowing through Central Ohio could supply power to at least 125,000 homes. It says the capacity to make wind turbine components can already be found in over a thousand businesses in the state. Yet, Environment Ohio says the state's elected officials haven't acted as other states have to foster the wind industry. Author of the report, Amy Gomberg says in 2001 alone, Ohio imported $16 billion of energy from other states and overseas.
Amy Gomberg: That's money we could be putting towards our manufacturers, towards developing wind farms, towards creating jobs and businesses right here in state. We should not be sending those billions of dollars to other states.
Gomberg says Ohio should require a percentage of electricity generated in the state come from renewable sources and reform utility regulations. Opponents of wind power say the resource is unpredictable and less inefficient than traditional fossil fuel sources. Lisa Ann Pinkerton, 90.3.