Wind power should be a breeze in Ohio, adding thousands of jobs along the way

Environment Ohio has released a report predicting the creation of approximately 3,100 jobs in the state if the use of wind power in Ohio increases to 20 percent of the state's energy production.

Most of the jobs would come from the manufacturing of the actual wind turbines and their parts.

"Ohio is better-positioned than most states to take advantage of wind power because of our manufacturing base and skilled workforce," said Erin Bowser, director of Columbus-based Environment Ohio. "We can attract a lot of companies that will be making these things."

The wind power industry got a big boost last Wednesday when the state senate approved Gov. Ted Strickland's energy plan that would require Ohio utilities to have 12.5 percent of their total power come from renewable resources, such as wind, solar and water, by 2025. The house has already approved the legislation.

That means utilities such as American Electric Power will need to either build their own new alternative energy sources, such as wind turbine "farms," or buy power from other companies that erect wind turbines or solar-powered plants.