Republic Wind transmission line hearing takes place online

Gary Baldosser of Republic gave the sole testimony during an Ohio Power Siting Board hearing Thursday evening regarding an electric transmission line for Republic Wind LLC's proposed wind turbine project. The hearing took place via Webex online meeting service and was streamed on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio YouTube channel. If approved, Republic Wind would build 47 wind turbines — at last report — to generate electricity in the Seneca County townships of Adams, Reed, Scipio and Thompson as well as Sandusky County's York Township. The wind farm would have a total generating capacity of up to 200 megawatts. The purpose of Thursday's hearing was to take sworn testimony pertaining to the proposed transmission line that would involved building a 7.4-mile-long 138 kilovolt transmission line and point of interconnect switchyard to deliver power from the Republic Wind Farm to the electric power grid. The hearing was conducted by administrative law judges Dan Fullin and David Hicks of the Ohio Power Siting Board. During his testimony, Baldosser said he and his family live in Adams Township within the footprint of the project, and he is in favor of the transmission line and the entire project. He said he is a fourth-generation farmer in Seneca County, and his sons are the fifth generation. "I am in favor of developing this transmission line project as well as the generation project," he said. "We, our family, will be impacted by every manner of this project and this event." Baldosser said he supports the project as an investment in rural America. He said people who live in rural America expect services such as reliable technology and emergency services. "And they expect to have electricity every time they flip a switch or want to recharge a device," he said. He said many community members have embraced the project by partnering with private industry and leasing their personal resources. Baldosser said he's following in his great-grandfather's footsteps because his ancestor was one of the local people who helped to found North Central Electric Cooperative in 1936 to provide electricity for the area and improve the lives of rural people. He asked OPSB to approve the transmission line project. The next step in the process is an evidentiary hearing, which is scheduled for Jan. 28 for parties in the case. Additional information regarding the proposed transmission line is available at www.OPSB.ohio.gov in case number 19-1066-EL-BTX. Additional information regarding the wind turbine project can be found separately in case number 17‑2295‑EL-BGN.