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.
Michigan tax ruling could power wind energy projects
LANSING – A recent personal property tax ruling that will cost Michigan counties millions of dollars in revenue could prove vital for utility companies and energy manufacturers around the state. The State Tax Commission ruling allows energy companies to pay substantially less in personal property taxes and gives a break to state manufacturers as well. Companies that build wind turbine blades, “casts” – which house the turbines — and related parts now pay significantly less in property taxes as a . . .
Department of Environmental Quality still on schedule with wind turbine plans
BAY CITY — Despite rain in the forecast, plans are still in place to remove the wind turbine at the Department of Environmental Quality Saginaw Bay district office in Bay City on Monday. A representative at the DEQ office said she had not heard of any change in plans, but said Kent Power, the company contracted to remove the turbine, was not at the office as of 8:30 a.m. The turbine, built in 2009 by Entegrity Wind Systems, has been . . .
Ogden seeks tougher wind rules on county roads
MADISON TWP., Mich. — Debate on commercial windmills may be taken to the Lenawee County Road Commission. The Ogden Township board has asked to meet with the road commission board to discuss its policies, road commissioners were told Thursday by managing director Scott Merillat. “They’re concerned about windmills first and foremost,” Merillat said. “They don’t think what we’re doing with windmills is enough.” Ogden Township Supervisor Richard Marks said Friday his board wants to coordinate a proposed township ordinance with . . .
Wind farm in Mason County taking shape despite legal challenge
Consumers Energy is wrapping up the initial phase of its first wind farm. Construction of the 100 mega-watt farm began last fall. Consumers plans to have the wind farm operating by the end of this year. The project is known as the Lake Winds Energy Park. Since construction began last fall, workers have built about half of the large bases for 58 utility sized wind turbines. Dennis Marvin is a spokesman for the New Generation Group at Consumers Energy. He . . .
Duke bails on wind farm plans
TRAVERSE CITY — Duke Energy Renewables pulled the plug on plans for a wind farm in Benzie and Manistee counties. The company proposed installing wind turbines on about 13,000 acres to generate up to 200 megawatts of output. Duke Energy announced Wednesday it discontinued the project, citing “timing” difficulties and work on wind projects in other locations. “We’ve got great wind. We’ve got great transmission,” said Milton Howard, vice president of wind development. “Just the power purchase agreement — the . . .
Wind developers look to mid-Michigan
Wind energy developer Blissfield Wind Energy, is pursuing development opportunities in Gratiot and Ionia counties after more than a year spent trying to gain sufficient land and support for the Blissfield Wind Energy project. BWE, a partnership between Exelon Wind and local firm Great Lakes Wind LLC, has a renewable energy purchase agreement with Consumers Energy, which is seeking to meet state standards for renewable energy production. BWE must begin construction of a wind energy installation in 2012 or suffer . . .
Push came to shove: Gratiot will fight turbine tax cuts
Who’s behind the recent state tax commission ruling on the diminished wind turbine taxes is a mystery. “There’s a rat in the woodpile and we’re going to flush ‘em out,” said Gratiot County Commission Chair Jeff Anderson. The state tax commission changed the tax rates late last year on wind turbines. Instead of 100 percent taxes, Gratiot County will now receive 80 percent. And, instead of depreciation taking place at 5 percent a year, it will go down to 30 . . .
Controversial windpower project cancelled; Duke Energy pulls plans to build 112 turbines in Northern Michigan
BENZIE COUNTY — After months of debate, Duke Energy has decided it will no longer move forward with it’s wind project plans in Benzie and Manistee Counties. The company spent more than a year signing contracts with dozens of landowners, setting up job fairs, and hosting public input meetings. Community members were divided over the Gail Windpower Project that would have created 112 turbines in their backyards. The issue even led to the recall of three Joyfield Township board members . . .
Duke wind project cancelled
Duke Energy says it will discontinue plans for a wind farm in Benzie and Manistee counties. In a released statement the company says it does not have a buyer for the electricity and questions whether there is enough demand for renewable energy in Michigan right now. Duke had proposed building more than 100 turbines between Arcadia and Frankfort. Opponents of the project claimed it would destroy the rural character of the area. In November, they recalled three trustees in one . . .
Only manufacturers gain from petition
The Jan. 13 front-page headline “Plan touts renewable energy” describes another despicable effort to fleece the public. Companies making parts for wind turbines are trying to create a law through the petition process that will require utilities to purchase and construct un-economic electric generating facilities. The large extra cost of this equipment will be borne by the customers of those utilities. The vast majority of the new wind turbine units are built in China. The number of jobs created in . . .
