January 14, 2012
Michigan

DTE, ITC discuss Sigel farm issues

By Kate Hessling, Tribune Staff Writer, Huron Daily Tribune, www.michigansthumb.com 14 January 2012

UPPER THUMB – Company officials from both sides of a possible siting conflict confirmed Friday that DTE Wind Energy and ITCTransmission currently are sorting out setback issues regarding a proposed wind farm and ITC’s Thumb Loop transmission line.

“What I can tell you is that ITC’s route, as proposed, is in the vicinity of a couple of our turbines in our Sigel Wind Park,” according to Matt Wagner, Manager-Wind Development, for DTE Energy. “We had an initial discussion with ITC before the holidays, but no decisions were made.”

Wagner said both parties have agreed to look into this issue further.

“ITC is reviewing DTE’s request and working with them to evaluate the next steps,” according to ITC Holdings Corp. Sr. Communications Specialist Joe Kirik.

Wagner said since both projects are in Huron County and are in the interest of wind development, “we are working toward a resolution that meets the needs both companies.”

ITC’s 5,000 megawatt transmission line will be constructed to meet the previously estimated minimum and maximum wind potential generation in the Thumb.

The “Thumb Loop” consists of about 140 miles of double-circuit 345,000 volt (345 kV) lines and four new substations, and it runs in Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac and St. Clair counties.

Project officials previously explained the Sigel Wind Farm will consist of a maximum of 44 General Electric 1.6 megawatt turbines.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/14/dte-itc-discuss-sigel-farm-issues/