Vorys Successful in Ohio Supreme Court Case Regarding Large-Scale Wind Farm

Vorys environmental attorney M. Howard Petricoff achieved victory on behalf of Buckeye Wind LLC on March 6, 2012, when the Ohio Supreme Court validated an Ohio Power Siting Board decision to approve the company’s application to erect a large-scale wind farm in Champaign County.  The Columbus Dispatch wrote about the Court’s decision in a story titled “Justices OK wind farm.”  The story states:

“A 4-3 decision by the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday removed a hurdle blocking construction of a $150 million wind farm on 9,000 acres in Champaign County. The ruling validated an Ohio Power Siting Board decision approving the application of Buckeye Wind LLC to erect 70 wind-driven rotary turbines estimated to generate a combined 126 megawatts of electricity.

The court ruled against a group of Urbana-area landowners who appealed because of concerns about safety, property values and aesthetics.”

“Mike Speerschneider, director of government affairs for EverPower Wind Holdings, the parent company, said, ‘We have worked very hard to develop this project in a way that respects the community and the siting process. We are proud of the steps we have taken to not just meet, but exceed, the regulatory standards.’  ‘Wind energy represents one of the least impactful forms of energy production available’  he said. ‘Wind farms use very little water, have a low impact on wildlife and natural resources. There is no need to secure fuel source, and extraction of fuel is unnecessary.’

To read the entire story, please visit the Columbus Dispatch website.   To read the Court’s decision, please click here.