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.
DTE Energy submits revised energy plan
DTE Energy Co. in Detroit has filed a revised energy plan that has accepted all recommendations issued Feb. 20 by the Michigan Public Service Commission to increase renewable energy production, create more solar power resources, and boost energy waste reduction goals. “One of the key elements of our plan is our commitment to increase our annual energy savings goals to 1.75 percent in 2020 and 2 percent in 2021,” DTE said in a statement. “Expanding these energy efficiency goals will . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine proposal under FAA review
ROGERS CITY – The Federal Aviation Administration is evaluating whether proposed wind turbines in Moltke Township would obstruct air traffic at the Rogers City Airport. The FAA is evaluating 46 potential wind turbine locations, Presque Isle County Airport Manager Alan Stiller said. Stiller said he was told by the proposed wind turbine developers there would be 66 wind turbine locations. The FAA performs obstruction evaluations whenever a tall structure is planned within a 25-mile radius of the airport. He said a . . . Complete story »
Matteson passes wind turbine control law
With no public comments Wednesday night, the Matteson Township board unanimously passed a planning ordinance amendment to regulate wind turbines. The large crowd of those who supported the law gave both the township and planning boards an ovation. Matteson becomes the second, after Sherwood Township, to enact a wind turbine law which requires special use permits, in the four township area targeted by DTE for a major wind farm. Union Township has no zoning. Batavia Township declared a moratorium until . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines are costly and not so environmentally friendly
As stated in my Dec. 5, 2019, Monroe News letter to the editor (There’s More to the Renewable Energy Story) wind turbine generators only generate electricity 30 to 40% of the time and suffer from a cube power law: If the wind speed drops by 10% electrical output drops 30%. What’s not reported or is common knowledge is that large wind turbine generators consume electricity from the electrical grid to operate and manufacturers of large wind turbine generators do not . . . Complete story »
Planning board approves wind turbine ordinance
The Matteson Township Planning Commission Wednesday approved an amendment to its zoning ordinance “to permit wind energy conversion systems, and to establish regulations and standards for them.” The regulation, which requires all wind turbines to get special use permits, will go the township board March 4. Toledo attorney Joshua Nolan, representing Concerned Citizens of Branch County, objected to DTE claims which had circulated in a letter around the township. “You have every right to protect your residents,” he said. The . . . Complete story »
Sherwood wind turbine ordinance goes to voters
Voters in Sherwood Township will decide Aug. 4 if they want the board approved “Wind Energy Conversion Systems” zoning ordinance to take effect. The controversial law to regulate large industrial wind turbines was passed in December by the township board after nearly two years of work and public hearings by its planning commission and township board. Those opposed filed a notice within seven days to stop enforcement of the law and collected a petition within 30 days to put it . . . Complete story »
State officials seek big changes to DTE’s long-term plan for electricity
DTE must go back to the drawing board and rewrite its 15-year operating plan in ways that could lead to the utility accelerating efforts to burn less coal, use more wind power and communicate more openly with community groups about pollution, according to a ruling Thursday by state regulators. The Michigan Public Service Commission ordered DTE to extensively revise its long-range plan, which will decide how millions of Michiganders get their power. And it will shape how much they pay . . . Complete story »
Referendum on Aug. ballot to reject Seville Twp. wind ordinance
The wind ordinance narrowly approved by the Seville Township board last month is now in limbo. A group of citizens has collected enough petition signatures to get a referendum rejecting the ordinance on the August primary election ballot. In the meantime the ordinance will not go into effect pending the outcome of the vote. The board had OK’d the ordinance that would have allowed the construction of wind turbines in the township by a 3-2 margin, with Supervisor Tish Mallory, . . . Complete story »
Eaton County judge dismisses solar company’s lawsuit, says township can enact ordinances
BENTON TWP. – An Eaton County judge has dismissed a Minnesota-based solar and wind energy company’s lawsuit claiming an interim zoning ordinance put in place by Benton Township to block a proposed 850-acre solar array is not valid. The ruling, issued late last month and signed by Circuit Court Judge John Maurer this week, also denied a request from Sandstone Creek Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of Geronimo Energy, for a preliminary injunction on the interim zoning ordinance, enacted last November. . . . Complete story »
Construction workers say Apex has broken promise to hire local
Unionized construction workers are accusing the company behind a major wind energy project in north-central Isabella County of breaking a promise to hire local workers, and plan to let people know about it all week. Approximately 55 union workers picketed to let people know about it on Monday, said Chris Taylor, a representative with the Construction Labors Local 1098. Their focus of their ire is Apex Clean Energy LLC, but because the company’s office is tucked back into Rosebush they . . . Complete story »
