Ohio leaders propose a windy addition to the Lake Erie horizon - massive wind turbines that would crank out megawatts and spin off research, development and jobs.

An energy task force will recommend to Cuyahoga County commissioners next month that the region pursue a demonstration project of four to 10 turbines, spinning at least three miles out on Lake Erie.

It would be an unprecedented venture - while European countries have water-borne windmills, the United States has none, task force officials said. And there are no freshwater wind turbines in the world, they said.

"We believe it's feasible as a research and development project," said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, head of the Cuyahoga Regional Energy Development Task Force.

Cuyahoga County commissioners appointed the 22-member task force last summer, with the idea of boosting alternative-energy use in the region and creating a cluster of businesses.

The task force includes some of the area's top legal and business expertise, including companies that could manufacture wind-power components, such as the Lubrizol Corp., Parker Hannifin Corp. and Eaton Corp.

Their preliminary research showed that turbines sitting at least three miles out could catch fruitful wind speeds averaging 16 mph. Ten turbines could generate up to 20 megawatts, powering tens of thousands of homes and businesses, officials said.

But the project would likely cost tens of millions of dollars and need significant public subsidies, task force members said.

It's unclear where the money would come from. Task force members are already soliciting local foundations and believe funds might be available from Ohio's Third Frontier program, which promotes high-tech innovation, and the U.S. Department of Energy.