Two National Guard bases in northwest Ohio could begin to be powered by wind or solar energy by next year, thanks to $7.1 million in federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Defense is investing the money for research and implementation of the renewable energy sources to fuel the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing, based at Toledo Express Airport, and the 200th Red Horse squadron, based at Camp Perry near Port Clinton, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) announced yesterday.

"Toledo can help America become energy-independent again," Miss Kaptur said. "Our country is strategically vulnerable because we import two-thirds of the energy that we use, the petroleum we use. And we're getting it from the most dangerous and undemocratic places in the world."

The University of Toledo's Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization will help with the research and implementation.

At the 180th, the plan is to focus on solar energy to power the base, which already has replaced about 20 percent of its streetlights with solar-powered models, Lt. Col. Bill Giezie said.

The idea is to build a ground-mounted photovoltaic array on the base that would convert solar energy directly into electricity, said Robert Collins, interim co-director of the Wright Center and a professor of physics at UT.

The array would be similar to the one at the corner of Dorr Street and Westwood Avenue at UT's alternative energy incubator. However, that array produces 12 kilowatts of energy, and the one planned for the 180th would generate 1 megawatt, Mr. Collins said.

That means the array at the 180th would be about 80 times the size, but the base has acres of land to accommodate it, he said.

"Projects like this, if they can be done at low cost, they're demonstrations that show what can be done on all scales from the small homeowner to the large businesses in the area," he said.

Further east, the 200th at Camp Perry will look at how winds off Lake Erie could help power that base.

The studies will include wind monitoring, wetland evaluation, and avian and bat risks, among other factors.

Based on those findings, the base could install a 600 kilowatt wind turbine. But a back-up plan for solar technologies also will be included in the project, Maj. Michael Hrynciw said.

"This is really a cutting edge project," Major Hrynciw said. "We've done a lot of energy reduction, but now we will be producing energy."

Making these bases energy self-sufficient is a two-part process.

Phase one will evaluate the operational, safety, environmental, and energy requirements of the alternative energy sources. The bases hope to have that complete by the end of the year, paving the way for the second phase in spring or summer of next year in which they would implement the plans, Colonel Giezie said.

Of the $7.1 million in federal funding, $5.1 million is directed to the 180th project and $2 million to the 200th.

Toledo's history in the glass business makes it a natural leader in solar energy production, Miss Kaptur said, adding that not only will these projects help reduce utility costs and our dependence on petroleum, but that this could create new opportunities and new jobs in related fields in northwest Ohio.

"We literally are inventing the future," she said.

See Rep. Kaptur's July 23, 2007 News Release: "Goal is Energy Security and Base Energy Independence."

NW Ohio Military Bases Receive Grants for Alternative Forms of Energy

WTVG--July 23, 2007 - Today Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced a multi-million dollar investment for two northwest Ohio military bases. The money will go to make the bases national models for alternative energy.

Also on 13abc.com:
See and Hear Kaptur News Conference Podcast on National Guard Base Alternative Energy Funding

Lt. Col. Bill Giezie says it costs around $650,000 a year to power the 180th Fighter Wing base.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced today that the department of defense is giving $5.1 million to the base to implement alternative forms of energy. And while the sun will be the power source at the 180th, $2 million is being given to Port Clinton's Camp Perry where they are evaluating the power of wind.

"Our goal is to make these the first guard bases in the country that are completely energy independent and self sufficient."

But more than just saving money on the base, Lt. Col. Giezie says those on the outside will benefit too.

"It is going to reduce the amount of tax dollars the citizens of the state of Ohio and the United States are going to have to give to us to keep us operational.

With less money spent on powering the bases, more can be spent on empowering our country. Both the 180th and Camp Perry will be implementing the new forms of energy sometime next spring. Both have plans to look at alternative fuels for military vehicles and fighter jets.

Coloring Toledo 'Green'

Toledo Blade Editorial
July 25, 2007

SUCCESSFUL change usually has to be sought. Toledoans are fortunate that city officials are aggressively trying to make ours a "green" city and the site of choice for an alternative energy research and development center where scientists can work on alternatives to gasoline, coal, and nuclear power.

Pumped up by the recent "Live Earth" concerts, held simultaneously throughout the world to increase environmental awareness, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner came up with the idea for "Live Earth: Toledo." It may seem a little far-fetched, but it reminds us that the city must be serious about examining ideas that could help retool the local economy and jump-start much-needed economic growth.

There is much about his idea that actually makes sense. For one thing, Toledo is on the cutting edge with plans for a "green" energy plant to convert methane gas into electricity. And, despite the heated debate, the $2.50-per-month discount to urge Toledoans to recycle household waste is also a green issue. The $450 million Toledo Waterways Initiative to prevent untreated sewage from being discharged into the Maumee and Ottawa rivers is another vital environmental issue.

The University of Toledo is involved in researching alternative energy. An alternative energy center would help attract scientists in these disciplines to UT. The university could also benefit by tapping into the state's Third Frontier Project, an economic development initiative.

Nor would Toledo be the only "green" community in the area. Wood County's Perrysburg Township is home of the headquarters of the solar-panel manufacturer First Solar Inc. Bowling Green's municipal electricity utility, with a four-windmill wind farm west of that city, already is a pioneer in the field of alternative energy production.

Toledo has suffered economically in recent decades, as has much of the Midwest. Our manufacturing and industrial economy is withering and a technology economy is quickly taking its place.

This change, at a rapid pace, is essential if the Buckeye State is to experience the resurgence it deserves. It's worth remembering that while green is the signal color of the environmental movement, it's also the color of money.