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.
Batavia becomes latest township to limit wind turbines
Batavia Township has become the latest township to take action against non-residential wind turbines. The Batavia Township Board passed an ordinance on Tuesday night which limits the height of industrial wind turbines to 330 feet. The ordinance would also put limits on commercial solar power units. This follows the Matteson Township Board approving an ordinance last March which established height limits for Wind Energy Conversion Systems. Special uses for Wind Energy Conversion Systems would only be available in General Agricultural, . . . Complete story »
Presque Isle County to send letter to FAA
ROGERS CITY – The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners voted Friday to send a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration in support of its airport, which could lose GPS landing capability if a proposed wind farm is built in Moltke Township. The project would feature 66 wind turbines, each towering 574 feet above the ground, and each would probe into restricted airspace, the FAA determined recently. Nine of the towers would be in the line of approach for aircraft, which . . . Complete story »
FAA: Wind farm could hurt Rogers City airport
ROGERS CITY – A proposed Molke Township wind farm project could have a significant impact on Rogers City airport and its airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration has determined the height of the proposed wind turbines would be too tall and penetrate restricted airspace. The turbines would also present safety issues during landings and takeoffs unless alterations to the plan are made. Presque Isle County Airport Manager Al Stiller said the FAA notified the county-owned airport of its findings and said nine . . . Complete story »
Opinion: Continuing renewable energy subsidies costs taxpayers, threatens energy markets
The production of wind and solar power has long been subsidized by the federal government through two tax credit programs. One is the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit, which was originally enacted in 1992. This provides a credit per kilowatt-hour to wind operators for electricity produced during the first ten years of operation. It was set to expire in 1999, but has been extended 12 times, and will currently expire at the end of 2020 unless it is extended again. . . . Complete story »
DTE puts Branch wind farm on hold
A plan by energy provider DTE for a wind farm in Branch County is on hold. Since 2017, the energy giant has been signing leases for farm land in Batavia, Matteson, Sherwood and Union townships as sites of large, industrial wind turbines and associated equipment to generate power to the grid. According to DTE spokesperson Cynthia Hecht, given the current economic climate and other factors, DTE ise suspending efforts to develop a wind energy project in this area. The statement . . . Complete story »
Energy company looking at potential 50,000 acre wind farm project in 11 Montcalm County townships
SIDNEY TOWNSHIP – Montcalm County residents could see a local wind farm project sooner than they think – and it could encompass up to 50,000 acres throughout 11 townships. Albert Jongewaard, development manager for Apex Clean Energy in Virginia, presented some initial details about his company’s wind farm goals for Montcalm County during Monday evening’s Sidney Township Board meeting. Jongewaard himself is based at the company’s Minnesota office, but he has been spending a lot of time in central Michigan, including at . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine zoning approved; millages pass
BRANCH COUNTY – The Sherwood wind turbine zoning ordinance will take effect, approved by township voters, 321 to 157. Branch County Concerned Citizens had mounted a campaign to lobby to create the law and to pass it. A petition to put the proposal to a vote was filed after it was passed unanimously by the township planning commission and board. Incumbent supervisor James Smith had to recused himself from votes on the ordinance because he had signed leases with DTE for . . . Complete story »
Lansing Board of Water & Light recommends 50% clean energy by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2040
The plan does not spell out exactly how the BWL would reach carbon neutrality by 2040, but it could get there both by reducing the fossil fuels it burns and by purchasing carbon offsets. Complete story »
Seville Twp. referendum to decide fate of wind ordinance
Seville Township officials have been debating the merits of wind turbines for the past several years. In January the board narrowly approved a zoning ordinance by a 3-2 vote establishing regulations to allow for the construction of turbines in the township. However, a number of residents were still not pleased saying the ordinance was “too restrictive.” That led to a petition drive spearheaded by Doug Duffy to get a referendum placed on the August primary election ballot that would nullify . . . Complete story »
Gratiot County wind farm development shows potential for Montcalm County
For those on the eastern edge of Montcalm County, traveling to and fro across the county line, a new series of looming, towering objects now await them, dotted across the horizon. Those towers – located in Gratiot County’s North Shade and New Haven townships – will soon number 60 in total, with enormous blades spinning at their top, all while producing energy spread out over 24,000 acres of farmland. Not 100 yards beyond E. County Line Road – the dividing line of the . . . Complete story »
