The wind energy industry says it can鈥檛 create new projects in Ohio, claiming they鈥檙e essentially handcuffed by stiff regulations over where turbines can be placed.
The issue of wind farms is divisive for land owners in northeast Ohio. Some want to lease a portion of their property for turbines and others don鈥檛 want anything to do with them.
Setbacks are supposed to address this issue by placing these structures, which can reach 750 feet, far enough away from property lines.
But says the current setbacks, created in 2013, are too restrictive and squeeze wind farms into parameters that aren鈥檛 conducive for new development.
We got a little aggressive with the changes three years ago and it got to the point where people who didn鈥檛 want them took precedent way over those that did want them, Hite says.
Hite expects his bill to decrease setbacks can get through the Senate but faces tough opposition in the House.
