February 5, 2012
Michigan

Public hearing on Bay County wind farm project scheduled for this month

By MacKenzie Burger, www.mlive.com 5 February 2012

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 be listening to everybody.”

Schabel said he expects a large turnout at the meeting – notifications of the hearing were sent to Merritt Township residents last week.

In addition to gathering comments from the community, representatives from NextEra Energy will provide a presentation on the proposed wind turbines.

“The community is divided,” Schabel said. “You can’t go somewhere without someone brining it up and voicing their opinion.”

Arguments between neighbors – and even family members – began last summer as township residents took stands on whether they opposed or welcomed the turbines.

Schabel said that six months later, tensions are still high in Merritt Township and the community is still polarized on the issue.

“Hopefully we can put the community back together,” Schabel said. “We don’t want to do the wrong thing.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/05/public-hearing-on-bay-county-wind-farm-project-scheduled-for-this-month/