Local Roundup The best safety device is a careful worker. Left to right, Brothers Conrad, Amos, Gomez, Huber, Brothers, and Ward Marcus and JR Gomez tandem lowering Brothers from Local 44 practicing a drill March 2023 49 Of course we’re the experts when it comes to conveyances, but we’re equally adept at maintaining motor generator sets, performing a wide range of mechanical and electrical maintenance tasks and working at heights. So who better to have involved in wind turbine work than elevator constructors? As our members are likely aware, Local 44 is home to hundreds of wind turbines which comprise several local wind turbine farms. One in particular, the Blue Creek Wind Farm, sprawled across Paulding and Van Wert counties in western Ohio, is home to more than 150 operational wind turbines and provides around 800 megawatt hours to the grid annually. This wind farm alone powers 76,000 homes a year and is the largest wind farm in the state of Ohio. We are hoping that the training and certifications these members received will enable us to continue our efforts aimed at securing the work on these existing units (Eric Rogers and Steve Simpson of the EIWPF were also on hand in August to speak about grant funds available to assist in securing work on existing units) and ensuring our involvement in every future installation. Thank you to Brothers Mike Amos, Marcus Brothers, Dan Conrad, Manuel Gomez, Bill Huber, Scott Macy, William Northcutt and Mike Ward for expanding future opportunities for our trade. Finally, we mentioned last month that our local, as well as the other four Ohio locals, had recently benefitted from the passing of Ohio House Bill 107. The Ohio Elevator Licensing Law will ensure the future requirement of obtaining a license to work on an elevator in the state of Ohio. The passing of this bill was years in the making and also revises guidelines and criteria for elevator maintenance within the state of Ohio. It is important to realize that the Governor’s signature is simply one of many early steps in a long process before we truly realize and may begin enjoying the fruits of our labor. Please understand that this will be a long, arduous process, but rest assured that the same dedicated individuals who helped to push Ohio licensing over the finish line will be just as diligent in their efforts with molding the law to our advantage. If you have any questions about the current status or how things are progressing, please call the hall for further details. Thanks for reading. In solidarity, Bethany D. Wilson
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