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.
Montcalm County board chairman encourages wind project support
STANTON – Up until now, the chairman of the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners has held back from publicly voicing his opinion regarding a wind turbine project proposed for the county. During Monday’s county board budget workshop meeting, Patrick Q. Carr decided to speak up. Carr, a Lakeview-area farmer and the fire chief of the Lakeview District Fire Department, has signed a lease with Apex Clean Energy, a Virginia-based wind energy developer which has proposed a 75-turbine project for an estimated . . . Complete story »
Speaker gives tips for anti-wind zoning
SOUTH RANGE – More than 100 people turned out Thursday night to listen to a zoning administrator lay out the best legal steps for stopping wind development in the area. Kevon Martis, zoning administrator for Deerfield Township in Lenawee County and an activist against large-scale wind and solar projects, addressed a crowd at the South Range Elementary School. After a half-hour presentation, Martis took questions from audience members, who were largely Adams and Stanton Township residents seeking to stop a proposed . . . Complete story »
Rep. Outman working on wind turbine depreciation dispute
PINE TOWNSHIP – As Montcalm County townships decide how to write wind energy zoning ordinances, a local state representative is working on legislation to address wind turbine depreciation disputes in neighboring counties. Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, attended the July 19 meeting of the Pine Township Planning Commission where that township is just beginning to work on updating its wind ordinance. “You’ve probably been to a lot of these meetings,” Planning Commission Chairman Scott Millard said to Outman in the audience. . . . Complete story »
Conflict of interest concerns and wind
The topic of concern; Winfield Township officials. Below is the Winfield Township ethical standards: “All elected and appointed officials, employees and volunteers shall fulfill their duties with the utmost attention to serving the best interests of the township citizens, and no official, employee or volunteer shall participate in a decision or transaction on behalf of the township that would result in a direct financial benefit to the township official, employee, or volunteer. “Any official, employee or volunteer who believes that . . . Complete story »
Winfield Township officials hear feedback on wind ordinance, conflict of interest
WINFIELD TOWNSHIP – To absolutely no one’s surprise, wind energy was a major topic at a three-hour solar energy ordinance meeting and public hearing hosted by Winfield Township officials last Saturday afternoon. Tricia Korhorn of Winfield Township brought up the topic of wind during public comment by noting that Winfield Township Supervisor Phyllis Larson had previously said that the township wouldn’t begin working on a wind ordinance until they had an opportunity to hear from residents. The Planning Commission has been . . . Complete story »
Respect each other’s views on wind
The proposed wind energy system project in Montcalm County carries strong opinions both for and against them. One of the opinions from turbine supporters is that turbine opponents do not use facts or science to back up their concerns. It is my observation that turbine opponents are providing credible sources at township meetings, including a mix of scientific studies, firsthand accounts from people living near wind turbines, and personal observation. They are clearly stating and citing studies, sharing copies of . . . Complete story »
Eureka Township awaiting wind ordinance recommendations
EUREKA TOWNSHIP – As officials come close to updating this township’s 200-plus page zoning ordinance, one element of that ordinance continues to be discussed and reviewed – wind energy. The Eureka Township Planning Commission has spent more than a year working to update “Ordinance 79” – a 251-page document containing all of the township’s zoning laws. However, the section on wind energy is being given additional focus following concerns brought forward from members of the public. During Wednesday’s meeting, Planning Commission Chairman Duane . . . Complete story »
Gratiot County couple shares wind turbine story with Cato Township
CATO TOWNSHIP – As the Cato Township Planning Commission continues to work on amending its wind energy ordinance, a Gratiot County farming couple attended a July 14 meeting to share their experience. Dan and Nancy Welke live in Merrill, Lafayette Township, where they say they have one turbine less than 1,600 feet from their home and another one about 2,600 feet away. They say they have been “battling” with DTE Energy and Gratiot County officials for the last year and a . . . Complete story »
Apex Clean Energy rep says proposed wind farm won’t be operational until at least 2024
BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP – A wind farm project proposed for Montcalm County wouldn’t be operational until at least 2024 in a best case scenario. That’s according to Apex Clean Energy Public Engagement Manager Brian O’Shea who gave a presentation about Apex’s proposed Montcalm Wind project to the Belvidere Township Board on July 14. About 30 people were also in attendance in the audience. “We haven’t decided to bring our full presentation to Belvidere Township until now,” O’Shea noted. “We’re looking at land . . . Complete story »
Montcalm Twp. Board receives clarification on conflict of interest issue
MONTCALM TOWNSHIP – Honing in on the subject of a conflict of interest, Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Montcalm Township Board included plenty of opinions on what the fate of the Planning Commission chairman should be. Members of the township board entered into closed session for 47 minutes with township attorney Jeffrey Sluggett of Bloom Sluggett PC in Grand Rapids to review written legal opinions from Sluggett on an alleged conflict of interest with Planning Commission Chairman Richard “Dick” Karnatz. The . . . Complete story »
