March 13, 2016
Michigan

Online petition to halt wind turbine development in Huron County created by local resident

Brandon James | 12 Mar 2016 | thumbnet.net

One area resident is saying “enough is enough” regarding wind energy in Huron County, and others are echoing his sentiment. Dale Ricker of Filion created a petition on change.org titled “Is it time to officially put a halt to wind turbine development in Huron County?“. As of Saturday afternoon, the petition has 175 supporters. Change.org is a website that provides a tool for people to advance various social causes.

Ricker says “many feel Huron County has have already done its share here (for wind energy). Now other counties such as Sanilac and Tuscola are voicing strong opposition as well. Many petition signers are commenting too. It’s a shame this is dividing folks.”

It’s unclear what, if any, effect the petition would have on wind energy efforts in Huron County. In November of last year, the Huron County Board of Commissioners approved revisions to the county’s Wind Energy Ordinance which aimed to balance the efforts of companies looking to build wind farms while putting in some limitations on distance and sound, among other things, to respect landowners and residents opposed or indifferent to wind turbines in proximity to where they live.

Several recent events have again ramped up the controversy regarding wind energy in Huron County. A turbine that collapsed in Oliver Township late February during a winter storm was a heavy topic of discussion at the Huron County Planning Commission meeting earlier this month. Earlier in February, there was a blade separation at a turbine in the Sigel Township wind park. These two incidents, along with more proposed wind farms in the county, is generating passionate discussion between local officials and those for and against wind energy in the county.

Huron County currently has 328 turbines, but that number could reach or surpass 500 by the end of this year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/03/13/online-petition-to-halt-wind-turbine-development-in-huron-county-created-by-local-resident/