County fair in Ohio looking to use wind for power

CLEVELAND (AP) — An entire county fair in Ohio could become an exhibit on the use of wind power.

Cuyahoga County commissioners in Cleveland took a first step Monday toward building a wind turbine to power the annual fair in the suburb of Berea. The commissioners voted to gather proposals for construction of a more than 500-kilowatt turbine and related facilities, including an energy education building for the fair.

The project would be paid for with $1.3 million project in federal stimulus funds.

Paul Oyaski, the county’s director of development, says the project would demonstrate the benefits of wind power and save money.

Officials say tests have shown there’s enough wind to cut $90,000 off the fair’s annual electric bill.