Commissioners scrap energy zone designation

VAN WERT - With a wind farm being developed in southern Van Wert County and another wind farm announced for southern Paulding County, the Van Wert County Commissioners made a move designed to give the county some additional leverage.

By a 3-0 vote, the commissioners terminated the county-wide alternative energy zone (AEZ) designation which had been passed in 2009. "This will give us some ability to negotiate with wind farm developers," said Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger. "This was we can strongly encourage a wind developer to be a good corporate citizen." The fallout from this decision is still unknown at this time. However, more may be known as the developer of the project by BP Wind, Roger Brown, is due to meet with the commissioners on Thursday afternoon. The status of that project is unknown due to the desire of BP to sell off its wind energy holdings. [National Wind Watch]