Ted Strickland News

Dr. Lorry Wagner has served as president of the Cleveland-based Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) since May of 2010.LEEDCo is the public private partnership behind the effort to construct Icebreaker Wind, a 6 turbine 20.7 megawatt offshore wind energy demonstration project in Lake Erie, 8 miles off the shore of Cleveland. LEEDCo has received funding from the U.S. DOE under its Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects award and has partnered with Fred. Olsen Renewables of Norway. Dr.

Ohio Governor John Kasich on Friday signed legislation to freeze a six-year old law that required utilities to sell increasing amounts of green energy, making the state the first in the country to roll back a clean energy mandate. Kasich, a Republican mentioned as a possible contender for the 2016 presidential race, signed Senate Bill 310, which passed in the state's legislature with strong support from some of Ohio's biggest industrial power users, such as Alcoa, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. A number of other companies with operations in the state, including Honda Motor, Honeywell and Whirlpool , opposed the freeze, and have said it will risk new jobs in the state. The original 2008 Ohio law called on utilities to sell more green power each year.

An honored member of the transportation industry and U.S. Navy veteran will join the Ohio Rail Development Commission. Bringing over 50 years of experience in maritime transportation, Great Lakes Towing Company Chairman Ronald C. Rasmus has been appointed to the ORDC. His appointment was made by out-going Governor Ted Strickland. Mr. Rasmus shares that view. “I look forward to sharing my years of maritime industry and transportation experience with the Ohio Rail Development Commission in order to assist the Commission to fully understand the value of a new multi-modal approach to the transportation system to the economic benefit of the State of Ohio through new job creation and improved trade opportunities for Ohio businesses.