Grand Haven Township wind turbine project continues

Credit:  By KYLE MORONEY, The Grand Haven Tribune , www.hollandsentinel.com 8 February 2010

Despite being denied a $9.5 million federal grant, the city of Grand Rapids remains firm in its pursuit to build two industrial-size wind turbines at its water filtration plant in Grand Haven Township.

Grand Rapids Deputy City Manager Eric DeLong stated in a letter dated Jan. 28 that the city “recently learned” they were not awarded the grant, which would help fund two 300-foot turbines and solar panels at the plant, 11177 Lakeshore Ave.

“As we have previously stated, the city intends to pursue the wind component of the project without the grant, assuming we obtain the township’s approval,” DeLong wrote.

The solar panels, however, have been scrapped as they assumed a large portion of the grant and do not have as much of a payback as the turbines, according to Haris Alibasic, the city’s director of energy and sustainability.

“The wind turbine project started before we applied for the grant,” he said.

Without the federal funding, Alibasic said officials will look to bond money and future grant opportunities to help fund the two proposed turbines, which could cost nearly $4 million each.

“This is very competitive,” he said of the Community Renewable Energy Deployment grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, money they had hoped to receive. “We are interested in doing this project, and work with the township and the residents to find an innovative solution for allowing us to proceed.”

Grand Rapids officials have said the wind turbines at the Lake Michigan Water Filtration Plant will help reach the city’s 100-percent renewable energy goal by 2020.

Since the city announced plans for the turbines last fall, it has caused an outpouring of response from nearby Grand Haven Township residents — a majority of whom have expressed opposition to the request, citing health and environmental concerns.

More than 200 residents filled the Township Hall during a public forum last November. Since then, township officials have begun an e-mail list — notifying anyone on the list, including residents, the latest news on the project.

Currently, the township’s Ordinance Review Committee is reviewing the information and will determine whether or not large industrial turbines — taller than 150 feet — are allowed in the township; and, if so, recommend regulations.

If the request is approved by the Township Board, then Grand Rapids officials say they plan to move forward with the project and begin a series of studies — including a wind feasibility study at the site, third-party studies that determine the effects of “shadow flicker,” environmental and avian impacts, and a flood plain study.

“A lot of development still has to be determined,” Alibasic said.

Tags: Wind power, Wind energy

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