Ohio political leaders are hoping a mix of incentives gets the state's offshore wind industry off the ground - and wind turbines up and running in the waters of Lake Erie. Gov. Ted Strickland and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown outlined their plans in March.

On the state side, Strickland wants to eliminate the state's tangible personal property tax for wind and solar energy facilities. In addition, he says, the state is examining changes in state law that would give offshore wind developers "the site control they need while still protecting Lake Erie." On the federal side, Brown is seeking to expand federal incentives and to provide research-and-development grants to states and others interested in pursuing offshore wind energy projects.