Electric wind turbines have been around since the 1800s and can be found all over the world. One place they are not commonly found to be in is bodies of water, especially in the United States.

Project Icebreaker aims to change that with a turbine in Lake Erie, eight to ten miles off of Cleveland’s shore. This six-turbine demonstration would be only the second offshore wind turbine to exist in U.S. waters after the Block Island Wind Farm turbines were activated in December 2016.

Located off the coast of Rhode Island, the Block Island Wind Farm has five turbines and is capable of powering up to 17,000 homes.

Project Icebreaker, which would be the first US offshore wind turbine to exist in freshwater, is expected to generate 500 jobs and provide electricity for 6,000 homes.

Although renewable energy is in high demand, not all are in favor of offshore wind energy. Many detractors, even some international opposition, fear this new source of energy.

On top of the possible eyesore, environmentalists are worried that this offshore wind turbine “will disrupt migration routes for birds and bats, damage marine life and pose a pollution hazard.” Also, individuals believe it will cause a “domino effect” in which many new offshore wind turbines will saturate Lake Erie.

Advocates recognize the issues and state that all problems associated with the turbines are fixable and that expanding renewable energy is the only way to move forward.

Project Icebreaker aims to change that with a turbine in Lake Erie, eight to ten miles off of Cleveland’s shore. This six-turbine demonstration would be only the second offshore wind turbine to exist in US waters after the Block Island Wind Farm turbines were activated in December 2016.

Located off the coast of Rhode Island, the Block Island Wind Farm has five turbines and is capable of powering up to 17,000 homes.

Project Icebreaker, which would be the first US offshore wind turbine to exist in freshwater, is expected to generate 500 jobs and provide electricity for 6,000 homes.

Although renewable energy is in high demand, not all are in favor of offshore wind energy. Many detractors, even some international opposition, fear this new source of energy.

On top of the possible eyesore, environmentalists are worried that this offshore wind turbine “will disrupt migration routes for birds and bats, damage marine life and pose a pollution hazard.” Also, individuals believe it will cause a “domino effect” in which many new offshore wind turbines will saturate Lake Erie.

Advocates recognize the issues and state that all problems associated with the turbines are fixable and that expanding renewable energy is the only way to move forward.