three of Amazon's massive central Ohio data servers coming online. The proposed ... Enterprise Business Management and A
Amazon
Amazon has been leading the charge for large-scale wind farm development in Ohio. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is working towards fulling its admirable goal of using 100% renewable energy. At the end of 2016, AWS supplied over 40% of its power from renewable energy sources; their goal for 2017 is 50%. The leading online retailer constructed the Amazon Wind Farm US Central (formerly known as Timber Road I and Timber Road III) located in Paulding County. The 48-turbine wind farm rated at 101MW is expected to generate around 320,000 MWh annually, which equates to roughly 29,000 US homes. Amazon has plans to help construct a 189 MW wind farm (formerly Scioto Ridge Wind Farm) in Hardin County which has been under development since 2013. The announcement came in the wake of three of Amazon’s massive central Ohio data servers coming online. The proposed wind farm project, Amazon Wind Farm US Central 2, is expected to be rated at 189 MW, almost doubling the size of Amazon Wind Farm US Central 1. This will be one of the largest wind farm projects in the country. The $300 million-dollar project is expected to generate over 580,000 MWh annually, which can provide power to about 53,000 homes, and is scheduled to become operational December 2107.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2016 Sharon Pearson
Sharon Pearson served as Program Coordinator for the Oberlin Project until April 2017. The Oberlin Project is a nonprofit organization which served as a catalyst organization to reduce carbon emissions below zero by promoting sustainability through balancing the economic, environment, and social justice joint efforts between Oberlin College, City of Oberlin and institutional partners. The Oberlin Project is closing its main office as of June 30, 2017 and allowing its partners to carry out the rest of the work in developing Oberlin as a positive climate community by the year 2050. Work influenced by the Oberlin Project included successful development of a robust Climate Action Plan, a large college campus solar array, piloting of a food hub, and construction of a LEAD Platinum Hotel – called the Hotel at Oberlin. The Oberlin community has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by diversifying 86% of its electric portfolio with landfill gas, wind, hydro, and solar.
A lifelong member of the Oberlin community Sharon was employed by the City of Oberlin for 25 years. She has been a member of Oberlin City Council since 2014 and will be seeking her 3rd term this fall. She is currently employed as the Community Outreach Manager for the Lorain County Urban League. Sharon has her bachelor’s degree in Green and Sustainable Enterprise Business Management and Associates Degree in Business Administration. She has been married to AJ! Clonts since 2014. They are owners of “As You Wish Travel Agency”. Sharon has taken great pride in coordinating the Green Energy Ohio Tour since 2011 and plans to continue.
SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXECELLENCE IN GREEN ENERGY NEWS REPORTING John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Business Reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, John Funk, has written excellent articles about Ohio’s green energy development over most of GEO’s 17 years. He is the first journalist to receive an award from Green Energy Ohio for his public service in educating Ohioans. John Funk and the Plain Dealer provided in-depth coverage of the National Solar Conference of the American Solar Energy Society, hosted by GEO in early July 2007 in downtown Cleveland. When surveys of the over 3,000 people attending the opening Public Day were asked about where they heard about the event, over half said it was the Plain Dealer articles. Few, if any, clean energy policy issues in Ohio have escaped John Funk’s objective reporting as his stories shed light on these vital issues. The list of John’s informative articles to state and at times national readers, is long and covers business, legislation, regulation and especially educational events and tours by GEO and many others.
www.GreenEnergyOhio.org
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GEO ANNUAL AWARDS FOR 2016
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2015
