Wind Power News: Michigan
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Second developer dumps wind turbine project
BLISSFIELD — A second developer involved in a wind-turbine project proposed for southern Lenawee County has bailed out. juwi Wind USA, the Colorado-based domestic subsidiary of a German company, has terminated a study of the 493-foot towers’ potential impact on aviation at Toledo Express Airport, and a company spokesman said Wednesday the reason is that juwi is withdrawing from the area. “We have terminated the study because we were going to receive a Declaration of Hazard,” said Aaron Peterson, the . . .
Second wind energy project called off
ADRIAN, Mich. — The second wind energy developer considering building turbines in southeastern Lenawee County has canceled its project. New zoning regulations in Riga and Palmyra townships and a Federal Aviation Administration finding that several of the proposed 492-foot turbines encroached on the airspace around Toledo Express Airport in Swanton, Ohio, were too much to overcome, juwi Wind spokesman Aaron Peterson said. After the initial notices of hazard were issued by the FAA, juwi, a German energy company with its . . .
Developer pulls out of Lenawee Co. wind turbine project
The last developer of a wind turbine farm set for construction in Lenawee County, Michigan says it is abandoning the project. Aaron Peterson, a community liaison with Juwi Wind, says Federal Aviation Administration height restrictions and recently enacted restrictive zoning laws have coupled to make the project unfeasible. In late fall the FAA told developers 63 turbines in the project were too tall because they were to be built in a restricted area due to flight paths into Toledo Express . . .
Public input asked for on wind issue
GILFORD — The Gilford Township Planning Commission will hold site plan reviews for wind turbine development over the next couple of weeks. NextEra Energy plans to develop 63 wind turbines in the Gilford Township area. The first hearing on the proposed Utility Grind Wind Energy system is 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20. The hearing will review the plan to build 13 turbines in the area south of Deckerville Road and north of Van Geisen Road in Sections 28 – 32 . . .
Potential wind farm’s prep work taking place on Muskegon County wastewater site
MUSKEGON COUNTY – Muskegon County wastewater department staff are making preparations for a potential wind-energy farm while the exclusive agreement with a private development team awaits a signature for execution. The county is measuring wind speeds with its portable wind-testing unit, which was recently moved to a different location on the Muskegon County wastewater site, and two anemometers affixed to permanent radio towers. Staff members also are verifying the locations of its underground utilities in preparation of running power lines . . .
West Michigan Jobs Group trades wind turbine fight for ‘cash mob’
MUSKEGON – Supporting Muskegon’s new downtown retailers is a lot less political than pitching for wind turbines on Lake Michigan. That’s why the West Michigan Jobs Group is holding “cash mobs” every other month. The social media group of community activists came together Friday evening at the new Century Club Center to spend some money. Instead of getting into emotional debates with offshore wind opponents, the Jobs Group spent a quiet evening shopping for candy, outdoor hats, furniture and fine . . .
Removal of 262-foot tower delayed by weather
FAIRFIELD TWP., Mich. — A tower built to monitor weather for a potential wind energy project in Fairfield Township and court-ordered to be taken down will be removed as soon as ground conditions improve. Fairfield Township Supervisor Curt Emmons said the ground has yet to sufficiently freeze for the tower along Arnold Highway to be removed by Orisol Energy U.S. Inc., the company responsible for its placement. Emmons said he has been in regular contact with Orisol officials for updates . . .
Public hearing on Bay County wind farm project scheduled for this month
MERRITT TOWNSHIP — The next step in starting construction of a proposed wind farm project that spans three counties takes place by month’s end. A public forum for community comments and concerns is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Merritt Township Hall. Some turbines would be sited in the township. “The planning and zoning commission could make a decision that same night,” said Dave Schabel, Merritt Township supervisor. “The commission has a big job, and they will . . .
Special windmill tax in the works
UPPER THUMB — Proposed legislation creating a special tax for commercial wind, biomass and solar systems currently is being reviewed by the Michigan House Committee on Tax Policy. “I think we’re going to be able to get this legislation through in a timely manner,” said State Rep. Kurt E. Damrow, a Port Austin Republican who sponsored House Bills 5278 and 5279. The bills create a separate category to tax the above alternative energy projects. It’s called the Alternative Commercial Energy . . .
New transmission lines for Gratiot wind farm now being built
The spot where trucks and materials are pulling in and out of Begole Road at M-46 is a staging area for the building of a new ITC transmission substation. It will also include upgrades to its high voltage transmission lines. ITC’s project was needed so it could “increase the line’s capacity to accommodate the full output of the wind farm,” according to an ITC statement. The project began in Porter Township in Midland County in June, 2011 and that phase . . .
