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.
No new activity on wind turbines in Presque Isle County
ROGERS CITY –Developers with Sstar Ridge-Run Energy have been in contact with Presque Isle County officials, but have yet to submit formal documents for a planned wind energy project. “There has been no type of application for any type of zoning permit,” Toby Kuznicki, chairman of the county’s planning commission, said. Kuznicki said the planning commission recently learned a marked-up Google Map had been submitted to county Building and Zoning Official Mike Libby, but Kuznicki did not have any further . . . Complete story »
Seville wind ordinance OK’d amid concerns that it’s too restrictive
After more than two years of sometimes heated debate and discussion the Seville Township board has approved a wind ordinance that will allow turbines to be constructed in the township. However, some think the new rules will be too restrictive to attract any interest from a utility wanting to build a wind farm The ordinance passed 3-2, with Supervisor Tish Mallory, Clerk Terresa Frisbie and Treasurer Ashlee Gibson voting in favor, while trustees Doug Brecht and Marlin Brush voted no. . . . Complete story »
Energy company nixes planned wind farm east of Muskegon
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – The energy company behind a controversial proposed wind turbine farm at the border of Muskegon and Kent counties decided to cease development on the project, according to company officials. Melissa McHenry, director of external communications with American Electric Power (AEP), told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle Tuesday, Dec. 24 that the project was no longer viable because of several stringent restrictions placed on one-half of the turbine site in Casnovia Township, located on the eastern edge of Muskegon County. . . . Complete story »
Casnovia Township wind farm project called off
Plans for a large wind farm located about 20 miles northwest of Grand Rapids have been called off. A spokesperson for American Electric Power Renewables, which is based in Ohio, says the company has decided to stop development on the Kenowa Ridge project. That project was to be located in Casnovia Township in eastern Muskegon County. “A lot of people were losing sleep and a lot of stress,” homeowner Steve Sower said. AEP Renewables says the township’s requirements didn’t match . . . Complete story »
Researcher talks renewable energy potential in Handy Twp.
There’s space and potential for renewable energy developments in Handy Township, according to a researcher from the University of Michigan. Dr. Sarah Mills, Senior Project Manager at U of M’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, attended a meeting of Handy Township’s Planning Commission last Thursday to discuss her research on how renewable energy developments impact rural communities. Mills first noted that there are 20 wind energy projects and 56 solar energy projects currently being considered in the state. . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine opponents seeking state investigation
WHEATLAND – The holidays are fast approaching, but a local group opposing the construction of a 166-megawatt commercial wind farm in Hillsdale County isn’t letting that slow them down. Instead, Informed Citizens of Wheatland Township is working with an attorney to draft a letter to send to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, asking her office to review actions taken by Wheatland Township’s Board of Trustees over the past two years that have paved the way for construction to begin on the . . . Complete story »
Wind farms knocking on Montcalm County’s door
SIDNEY TOWNSHIP – As counties in Michigan continue to see renewable energy projects spring up over time, the question continues to be asked – what about Montcalm County? During Monday’s Legislative Update session at Montcalm Community College, Harmony Nowlin, the community services area manager at Consumers Energy, said in the years that have followed since a new Clean Energy Plan was established in 2016, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar farms are becoming more feasible to install or purchase, while . . . Complete story »
Seville Township considers wind turbine ordinance
Once the wind farm presently under construction in Lafayette, Hamilton and North Star townships, and another in the planning stages in New Haven and North Shade townships is built, Gratiot County will be the home of more than 400 wind turbines, nearly one-third of the state’s total. But, Seville Township for one, hasn’t jumped on the wind energy bandwagon. However, it has led to some heated discussions the past couple of years between those who support the installation of turbines . . . Complete story »
Tuscola Airport Zoning Board of Appeals continuing lawsuit
Although Tuscola County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday not to fund legal action to fight wind farm development, legal action is still going to continue. Even though the Tuscola County Airport Zoning Board of Appeals (AZBA) does not have a budget, they voted Friday to appeal the issue to a higher court. The cost to continue the legal fight is estimated to cost at least $15,000 too $20,000. The Concerned Friends of the Tuscola Area Airport agreed to cover legal . . . Complete story »
Decision not to fund wind lawsuit – might not be the end on wind battle
Even though Tuscola County Commissioners decided to say “no to financing more legal action” regarding a wind farm lawsuit during a special board meeting Wednesday, that may not be the final word. The Tuscola County Airport Zoning Board of Appeals, will conduct a special meeting noon today at the Purdy Building, 125 W. Lincoln St., Caro. The meeting will include a closed session to discuss a written legal memorandum from their attorney, according to the meeting notice posted by Tuscola . . . Complete story »
