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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Douglass Township planners begin working on new wind ordinance
DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP – The Douglass Township Planning Commission began the lengthy process of creating a new wind ordinance Wednesday evening in yet another meeting featuring colorful commentary from township officials and dissension from audience members – as well as a failed attempt to limit public comment. About three dozen audience members were present, most wearing face masks, but there wasn’t much social distancing going on as all the chairs were set up side by side in the township hall (the township board . . . Complete story »
Pine Township officials place moratorium on wind permits as they prepare to send out wind survey to residents
PINE TOWNSHIP – The crack of guns on the shooting range could be heard on the Flat River Conservation Club property Monday evening. Meanwhile, inside the clubhouse, questions and comments were flying nearly as fast and furious as the bullets. The Pine Township Planning Commission met at 5 p.m. drawing a passionate audience of more than 50 people, followed by the Pine Township Board meeting at 7 p.m., which saw only slightly less attendance. By the end of four-hour-plus meetings, both . . . Complete story »
Focusing zoning on health, safety, welfare
PINE TOWNSHIP – The Pine Township Board has repeatedly declined residents’ requests to allow Kevon Martis to present concerns and recommendations about the township’s wind ordinance. So residents took matters into their own hands. The Pine Township Coalition for Safe Energy and Martis hosted a presentation Thursday evening via Zoom which saw more than 160 people participating. Interest in wind energy is high locally as Apex Clean Energy has proposed a 75-turbine wind farm for Montcalm County. Martis is the zoning . . . Complete story »
Planners approve Deerfield 2 site plan
The Huron County Planning Commission has approved a site plan review for the next phase of the Deerfield Wind Energy farm as some of the project takes place on county-zoned land. The approval is subject to the Huron County Board of Commissioners approving the decommissioning security from the wind farm’s owners. While the turbines for the project will be in Huron Township, which is a self-zoned township, an expansion to an existing electrical substation, underground collection lines, transmission lines, and . . . Complete story »
Winfield Township officials are taking their time with wind turbine ordinance
WINFIELD TOWNSHIP – Wind turbines weren’t on the agenda but they were the main topic of public comment during Thursday morning’s Winfield Township Board meeting. Only seven people were present in the audience, including the township’s zoning administrator and this reporter. Of the remaining five people, only two were from Winfield Township. The meeting took place in the morning, which is the township board’s tradition during winter and early spring months, but the board will resume meeting at 7 p.m. on . . . Complete story »
Douglass Township Board repeals wind ordinance, also votes to stop paying for Zoom meetings
DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP – The Douglass Township Board on Wednesday evening unanimously voted to repeal its controversial wind ordinance and also to stop paying for hosting Zoom meetings. For the next hour and a half, the township board then heard public comments from people concerned about the wind ordinance as well as the upcoming lack of Zoom meetings. About 40 people attended the meeting in person with another 25 people on Zoom. The Zoom feed was plagued with problems throughout the night – . . . Complete story »
Sidney Twp. Planning Commission to hold special meetings to discuss, refine proposed wind and solar ordinances
SIDNEY TOWNSHIP – If all goes as planned, this township will have new wind and solar ordinances pertaining to commercial energy projects adopted into its zoning laws come summer. During Monday’s meeting of the Sidney Township Board, Trustee Ray Leyrer, who is also a member of the Planning Commission, said the commission is prepared to have additional discussion, hold a public hearing and potentially vote on a recommendation of approval to the township board regarding the ordinances. Leyrer said the Planning . . . Complete story »
Maple Valley Township Planning Commission hosts unruly wind energy meeting
MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP – After hosting a stormy wind meeting in February via Zoom, followed by a vote to repeal the township’s controversial wind ordinance in March via Zoom, Maple Valley Township officials met for an in-person – but no less turbulent – meeting Thursday evening. Three dozen people attended an unruly 90-minute meeting inside the freezing Coral Community Center (“We went over to Gratiot County and stood right underneath a turbine and this (Community Center) furnace was louder than that turbine,” Planning . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines don’t belong near homes
This is in response to Don Smucker’s Guest View from the March 20 issue of the Daily News. His opinion piece included a variety of claims and accusations – all of which had no supporting documentation or sources. We are calling out a few specific quotes from that article, with some supporting links as well. Additional facts and testimonials regarding wind turbines can also be found on the Montcalm County Citizens United Facebook page. 1. Mr. Smucker wrote: “The townships and . . . Complete story »
Stand up for a rural way of life
If Michigan residents support wind turbines, why have wind companies lost 24 out of 24 times when wind-friendly ordinances have been brought to a referendum? If townships are “enjoying a new and substantial source of tax revenue,” why are they having to fight for those revenues? Montcalm County residents are not “raising Cain,” as Don Smucker stated in his March 21 Guest View in the Daily News. Apex initiated township ordinance amendments to allow taller turbines closer to our homes. . . . Complete story »
