A large region of Ohio is one step closer to reopening its land to wind energy development. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more.
A House committee approved changes to a bill that would loosen the restrictions for where wind turbines can be placed.
It would only apply to the northwest region of the state, dubbed the Ohio Wind Corridor because it’s the most commercially viable for projects.
Several members from both parties said they were concerned about limiting the area and taking out some local control from county commissioners. That includes Republican Representative Kristina Roegner of Hudson.
Roegner: “It’s taking the decision-making authority, bringing it back to the state and we’re losing some local control. Specifically the property owners that would be adjacent to these wind farms.”
But some local officials, including the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, still support the bill saying it continues to give county leaders enough of a say.