Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has put a focus on alternative energy manufacturing in Ohio, both during the campaign season, and in statements supporting federal assistance to the auto industry. 

This week Strickland spoke at the American Wind Energy Association Wind Power Supply Chain Workshop in Cleveland, where he advocated Ohio's role in the development of wind power technology. Strickland spoke to over 800 individuals attending the workshop from more than 30 states.

Strickland said that he was pleased such a conference was taking place in Cleveland. 

"We think Ohio has incredible opportunities in front of it," Strickland said. "As we not only think about the possibility of wind farms and electricity being generated from wind farms, created onshore and perhaps offshore here in Ohio, we are also excited about the possibility of so many of our existing manufacturing facilities adapting in a way to become leaders in the supply and component parts for this great, developing and emerging industry."

Strickland said that he sees this type of manufacturing as a part of Ohio's future. 

"I think this industry - the wind industry - can be a vital part of America's and Ohio's reinvigorated economies," Strickland said.

Strickland said that the state was currently in discussions with more than one company regarding a possible future investment and development in Ohio regarding wind turbine energy technology. 

"I have personally had some of the leaders of those companies at the Governor's residence in Columbus," Strickland said.

Strickland said that the Ohio Department of Development was engaging these companies in discussions. 

When asked about the potential for major utilities companies in Ohio to get on board with these alternative technologies or whether they would stick to coal and nuclear energy, Strickland said he had talked to the major CEOs of the companies and that they had expressed interest to him in diversifying.

"I think the major utilities will see significant benefit in expanding the efforts of producing electricity in Ohio," Strickland said. "I believe in the broadest range of production possible. Ohio uses a lot of electricity and I believe we must produce a lot of electricity."

Strickland pointed to Ohio being among the top five states in terms of energy consumption, saying that much of this consumption came from Ohio's manufacturing.

"Having an adequate supply is important. And I believe having a renewable supply is becoming increasingly important," Strickland said.

Addressing environmentalist concerns about wind energy, Strickland said he believes in the ability of science and research to solve most problems. 

"I also believe that you can take any energy source and find ways to be critical of it, whether it's coal or nuclear or hydro or wind," Strickland said.

"The fact is that we must be sensitive to our environment. We must do what we can, certainly, to make sure that human health and the health of our natural environment is protected and sustained." 

Strickland said he believes it's essential for Ohio to pursue the development of multiple sources of energy production, and said problems will be dealt with as they arise. He said he would work to minimize and eliminate problems but that they should not be an ultimate deterrent to pursuing energy solutions.

As far as speaking to President-elect Barack Obama about what assistance Ohio can expect from the federal level, Strickland said he had not addressed the issue with Obama following the election, but had talked to him during the campaign season. 

"I cannot speak for the President-elect, but just taking what he has said publicly [it] has caused me to believe that he will be a very strong supporter of green energies, certainly wind energy being a part of that as well as solar and other forms of energy production," Strickland said.

In a time of such economic turmoil, Strickland said that this has not inhibited efforts toward alternative energy production in Ohio but has encouraged it.

"I think the current economy is affecting just about every aspect of our nation and our state's economy," Strickland said. "I am aware of certain initiatives, not related to wind energy, that have been put on hold until financing becomes more readily available. But I am excited about what appears to be the continued interest, even amidst these difficult economic times, in pursuing Ohio as a potential place for component part manufacturing and for wind power, including possible wind farm development." 

Strickland said that if the state were currently at the point of investment consideration the financial situation might be problematic, but as it currently stands the interest in pursuing these activities at this point has not been diminished as far as the wind energy industry is concerned.

"I've had the opportunity to talk with some of the component part manufacturers who are already doing work in Ohio and I believe there is a sense that this is one industry that has a bright future and is full steam ahead," Strickland said.