Grand Haven Township schedules public hearing on proposed wind turbines on lakefront

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Controversy is blowing in Grand Haven Township.

And township officials are seeking to calm the storm.

They have announced a public meeting Nov. 30 to give residents the chance to ask questions about a proposal from the city of Grand Rapids to erect two large wind turbines on lakefront property.

While everyone is welcome, invitations have been sent to all residents within one mile of the proposed site.

The city of Grand Rapids is considering a $15 million proposal to build two wind turbines on land it owns next door to its Lake Michigan Water Filtration Plant in Grand Haven Township.

Grand Haven Township Planning Director Patrick Waterman said Grand Rapids officials are in the “exploratory phase” and no official plans have been submitted to the township.

What is known is that Grand Rapids would like to install two 300-foot turbines to help offset costs at its water plant. The turbines would generate enough electricity to power 15 giant pumps that deliver an average of 40 million gallons Lake Michigan water to Grand Rapids customers and suburbs daily.

Each turbine would produce 1.5 to 2 megawatts of power daily, officials have said.

The turbines, if approved, would be installed near the Grand Rapids Water Filtration Plant, 11177 Lakeshore Drive.

Waterman said he has fielded telephone calls and received e-mail from a handful of concerned citizens. He said residents want to know how much noise and “shadow flickers” would affect nearby properties.

He said residents also want to know about setback requirements and how turbines would affect wildlife, like birds and bats.

It’s too early to know whether Grand Haven Township officials will draft an ordinance amendment to allow Grand Rapids to install the turbines. If Grand Rapids pursues it, a township ordinance would help regulate the project to protect the neighborhood, officials said.

An ordinance amendment committee would start the process; from there, the township planning commission would review it. The township board of trustees would have the final say on adopting an ordinance amendment.

Waterman said he expects a large turnout at the Nov. 30 forum, which is being billed as a “public discussion.”

“Grand Haven Township is anticipating a great deal of controversy over this proposal,” Waterman said in a press release. He said a panel of experts in wind energy will shed light on wind turbines and their impact on communities.

The township recently approved a wind turbine ordinance that allows for smaller turbines, up to 150 feet tall. The first turbines were installed on the Meijer Inc. superstore building at Comstock and U.S. 31. The ordinance “specifically excluded” larger turbines.

Grand Rapids officials are seeking stimulus grants through the U.S. Department of Energy worth $9.95 million for the project. The funds are requested through the American Recovery and Investment Act.

Grand Rapids is conducting wind tests to confirm the site would generate the power it needs to make the project feasible. If the project clears all of its hurdles, installation could begin in 2011.

By Chad D. Lerch | Muskegon Chronicle

www.mlive.com

18 November 2009

Tags: Wind power, Wind energy

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