A comprehensive discussion of the important role the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway ports system can play in providing transportation and logistics services to the wind energy industry is now available in a new document released by the Great Lakes Commission, via the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative (GLWC).

The GLWC surveyed ports in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region to assess their readiness and willingness to handle wind turbine cargo. Their responses indicate that the ports not only have the infrastructure but also have ample experience and interest to handle the unique needs of the wind energy industry. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ports are well-situated to facilitate and advance the growth of the wind energy industry.

The transportation sector has played a key role in ensuring sustainable and economically efficient advancement of the wind energy industry in the United States, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

“We welcome the publication as it will serve as an essential reference guide for learning about the critical function U.S. and Canadian regional ports play in safely and efficiently transporting scores of metric tons of wind components to North American wind farms annually, ” said Tim Downey, international trade specialist with the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC). “The appendices offer invaluable technical data for transportation and logistical professionals involved in this fast-growing renewable energy industry.”

The project was a collaborative effort by members of the GLWC’s Offshore Wind Workgroup and the region’s ports and port authorities who provided the ports’ data for the document. The SLSDC and its sister agency, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, were instrumental in helping to ensure a solid response to the regional survey.

“This document pulls together important information and data on both U.S. and Canadian ports that many stakeholders in the region were calling for,” said Kevin Edwards, program advisor for renewable energy with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and chair of the GLWC Offshore Wind Workgroup.

GLWC Co-chair Cathy Loucas, deputy director of Resource Conservation with the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, added: “This project exemplifies a truly collaborative effort on the part of all Great Lakes ports. The survey and resulting report relied on information from many port stakeholders throughout the region and will serve to assist the wind industry, Great Lakes ports and economic development professionals for years to come.”

The document’s appendix provides detailed information about the individual ports and/or port operators who responded to the GLWC survey including contact information, infrastructure specifications (handling equipment, staging and dockage area), bimodal transportation options, and past experience handling wind turbine components. The report is available here.

For immediate release: October 13, 2010  |  Download PDF
Contact: John Hummer, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135
Terry Yonker, GLWC co-chair, 716-745-9129
Cathy Loucas, GLWC co-chair, 614-265-6882

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The Great Lakes Wind Collaborative is a multi-sector coalition of wind energy stakeholders working to facilitate the sustainable development of wind power in the binational Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by James Tierney, assistant commissioner for water resources at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states.Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer programinvolving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org.