On Nov. 8, the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) allowed public testimony in support of or opposition against the Icebreaker Wind Facility. For the uninitiated, this is the proposed offshore wind farm being planned in Lake Erie. It will be the first freshwater installation in the U.S., and presents a great opportunity for Ohio to get ahead of the game in the renewable energy industry. I joined the public testimony to voice my strong support for this bill. Fortunately yet unfortunately, so many people turned out to voice their support of this project, that by the time I had my chance to testify, I had to cut my comments considerably shorter due to time considerations. However, I wanted what I originally intended to say to be published for the record, anyways. I present that below, with some edits for readability and to better adapt it to this format:
“To the community and to the OPSB, regarding the Icebreaker offshore wind farm:
I wanted to take a few minutes to voice my support for this offshore wind farm. Further, I want to press all of our current and future leaders - whether representatives, mayors, governors, senators, councilmen, etc - to support projects like this one in the future. As a physicist, a candidate for Congress in Ohio's 16th district, an environmentalist, and a concerned citizen, I cannot express enough my enthusiasm for and endorsement of this project.
The most important reason everyone should get behind this facility is the possible effect it could have on jobs in this region. The turbines used in this project are imported, because only one part of the world has made a concerted effort to develop offshore wind. If we allow this project to continue and use Lake Erie as a proof-of-concept for freshwater wind, we can start a new industry right here in northeastern Ohio. This region is spectacularly well positioned not just to provide a home for these turbines, but to produce them and become the country's primary manufacturer of wind turbines for offshore wind projects. After all: most of the construction is steel, and to establish a demand for these here would be a boon to our steel plants while encouraging development of countless other businesses seeking to capitalize on a new industry. Being able to manufacture the windmills in America, right here in Ohio, will vastly improve the feasibility of future projects both here and across the country.
The second reason I would ask everyone to support this project is because climate change is real, regardless of whether or not you agree. It is happening and we must find a way to combat it. This is a modest way we can signal our intent to tackle the problem. It adds to our nation's overall renewable energy portfolio, while establishing a precedent for the establishment of renewable energy resources wherever they can be built. Additionally, the completion of this project will amplify these effects - while creating more jobs - as more offshore projects are approved.
Lastly — this is my first time in this room, and that mural up there... I like it. This project will help us live up to those last few words: let's keep this a city with an enlightened vision, embracing the future and the change it brings. And let us live up to that promise of a civic soul, by doing what we can to leave this city and this region a better place than we found it.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify!”