Wind Power on the Waterfront

Wind Power on the Waterfront. The Industrial Heritage Trail. In June 2007, eight wind turbines began operation along the shores of Lake Erie, capturing the constant breezes and generating enough clean energy to power 6,000 homes. , The "Steel Winds" project is unique for several reasons, most notably its location. While many existing wind farms are located on private farms, the Lackawanna wind farm is located directly on the Lake Erie shoreline, and is the first in the state to be located on an abandoned brownfield site. The 29 acre site was formerly part of Bethlehem Steel, and was contaminated with steel slag and industrial waste. A grant from the EPA helped the City of Lackawanna determine the extent of contamination. Existing transmission lines and roads made the site a prime location for the production of renewable energy. Wind turbines were ideal because much of the construction could occur without excavating the contaminated soil. , Remedial activities included regrading, removing solid waste and grossly contaminated soils, and vegetating the entire site. , The eight wind turbines are among the largest wind turbines ever assembled in the country, and the first of their kind on the Great Lakes shoreline. The project had a "slag breaking" ceremony on September 15, 2006. The first of eight 400-foot turbines was put into place in December, 2006. Each turbine cost $4.25 million to build and can generate 2.5 megawatts of electricity. , The eight Clipper Liberty wind turbines (built in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) have the ability to generate over 50 million kilowatt hours of electric energy each tear without the pollution associated with traditional energy sources. The power generated is sold into the NYS Idependent System Operator grid for distribution to retail customers. Additional turbines are planned for the future. , [caption] Wind turbines along the Lackawanna waterfront. , Wind power is an important part of the United States energy future. Wind power does not emit greenhouse gases or other damaging pollutants into our atmosphere. , Turbine Height Comparison. Buffalo Lighthouse - 60 feet. City Hall - 398 feet. Steel Winds Turbine - 400 feet. HSBC [renamed Seneca] Tower - 538 feet.