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.
Clarity hearing scheduled for four public officials in Delta County
DELTA COUNTY – A clarity hearing has been scheduled for four public officials in Delta County. Kristi Curry and Autumn Moore have filed a recall wording to recall Garden Township Supervisor Morgan Tatrow and Fairbanks Township Supervisor Ron Collins, Clerk Kathryn Denholm and Trustee James Dalgord. The election commission, comprised of Judge Goebel, County Treasurer Tom Sabor and County Clerk Nancy Kolich, will hold a clarity hearing on May 7 to approve or deny the recall petition wording. The request . . . Complete story »
Commissioners view video of loud turbine
BAD AXE – A resident showed the Huron County Board of Commissioners video that he feels demonstrates issues with a wind developer’s sound protocol. Robert Gaffke of Bloomfield Township has a long-standing complaint against Heritage Sustainable Energy, which built the two Big Turtle Wind Farms in Huron County. Big Turtle II borders Gaffke’s property, and he has been before both county commissioners and county planners many times in the past 18 months complaining about noise from turbines. Gaffke would not allow . . . Complete story »
Wind company claims it’s ending project; Wind turbine foes express skepticism over ‘ploy’
SHIAWASSEE COUNTY – Apex Clean Energy, a Virginia-based renewable energy firm seeking to develop wind turbines in Shiawassee County, said in a letter that it will not renew land leases or sign new ones in the county because of regulations being drafted by the county making turbines “unfeasible” to develop. “We will not be able to renew land leases or further pursue investment in the county until there is a clear ordinance in place that allows for safe, economic, and well-designed . . . Complete story »
Planners OK Ingersoll wind ordinance on 5-2 vote
The long, wearisome and divisive journey to an updated wind ordinance is nearing completion after Monday night’s Ingersoll Township Planning Commission meeting. A wind ordinance passed on a 5-2 vote. Commission members Dave Kinne, Kris Kipfmiller, George Schaller, Andy Shaffner and Rick Surma voted in support of the ordinance. Planning Commission Chairman Ron Garrett and trustee Jacob Terwillegar voted against it. The ordinance now goes to the Ingersoll Township Board at its May 14 meeting. Garrett and Terwillegar were concerned . . . Complete story »
Public forum on wind development held in L’Anse
Construction on wind turbines in Baraga County hasn’t even started, but the issue is already dividing the community. In December of 2017, Renewable Energy Systems proposed 35 to 50 wind turbines to be put throughout the Weyerhaeuser Land in L’Anse Township. This has led many who live around the land to speak out against them. “This is a tourist area, it’s the jewel of the Upper Peninsula as far as we’re concerned,” said Nancy Haun, leader of the “Friends of . . . Complete story »
Ingersoll Township remains a divided community
It’s not unusual these days for discussion to become emotional at Ingersoll Township meetings. At last week’s board meeting, emotions erupted during public comment regarding procedures to contact township attorney Peter Poznak. The board decided in December it needed to reach him regarding a township conflict of interest policy, which arose in discussion about potential wind turbine energy. “I am the one who contacted the lawyer regarding the conflict of interest,” Township Clerk Mary Ellen Keel said. “As it is . . . Complete story »
Oliver zoning changes on May ballot
OLIVER TOWNSHIP – Residents of Oliver Township will have a say May 8 about whether changes to the township zoning ordinance passed last year will go into effect. Residents who oppose the revisions say the changes address some aspects of wind development insufficiently, and fail to address others. “They didn’t change (regulations) enough to really help the people who live here,” said township resident Richard Krohn, who sought signatures to get the measure on the ballot. “Because there’s nothing really stopping . . . Complete story »
Local group talks wind project with county
L’ANSE – The Baraga County Board received a presentation from Wayne Abba, representing Friends of the Huron Mountains, regarding the proposed Summit Lake Wind Project. The presentation attracted a large crowd of almost 50 people, with many addressing their concerns about the wind project and what it will do to the area. Abba said the group is not against development – it just wants to know why this is a good area, and it wants what’s best for the land and wildlife. . . . Complete story »
Ingersoll Township extends wind moratorium
Trustees from Ingersoll Township Board unanimously approved this week a six-month addition to the existing one-year moratorium on a Wind Energy Ordinance. “The planning commission has not yet forwarded to us (the wind energy ordinance) and because of that, I am moving that we extend the existing moratorium on wind energy systems from a 12-month duration to an 18-month duration,” stated Ingersoll Board Chairman Chuck Tabb. The motion extension was approved unanimously. The original moratorium, approved on March 22, 2017, . . . Complete story »
Planner appointed amidst dissent
BAD AXE – Despite opposition from a member of the public, and a lack of agreement by all board members, the Huron County Board of Commissioners appointed Bob Tenbusch to the Huron County Planning Commission. Tenbusch, of Sherman Township, was the final appointee suggested by board Chairman Sami Khoury, and was approved by a 4-3 vote at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting. Voting in favor of the move were commissioners John Nugent, Ron Wruble, David G. Peruski and Khoury. Voting against it were . . . Complete story »
