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Wind Power News: Michigan
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
After local pushback, Michigan Dems seek state oversight of green energy
State Democratic leaders hope to muzzle the battles at local township boards that have often throttled Michigan’s green energy efforts by moving control of the siting of energy projects to the state’s Public Service Commission. House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, told Bridge Michigan Monday he plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to move control of utility-scale wind and solar projects to the PSC. Sponsor Currently, projects must be approved by individual township boards. Since the . . . Complete story »
Rural communities are pushing back against large wind turbine developments
Toward the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, dozens of wind turbines dot the rural landscape – their blades catching the eye of passers-by as they slowly spin. The region has some of the highest power generation potential based on megawatt hours in the state, and over the last several years, the sight has grown more common above M-46 as a host of energy companies sweep in with large commercial developments. But turbines could make their way farther south in a matter of . . . Complete story »
Clinton Co. to vote on moratorium on clean energy projects
The Clinton County Board of Commissioners could consider passing a one-year-long moratorium on any large-scale solar or wind energy projects. The unanimous vote from the county’s planning commission comes as large-scale green energy plants clash with residents’ concerns over the future of their rural farmland. Thursday’s public hearing comes weeks after Clinton County’s Planning Commission first looked into a county ordinance on wind and solar that they called “outdated.” See More: Clinton County to draft moratorium on green power plants . . . Complete story »
Wind industry declares war on Michigan man
Wind energy activists believe they have found an explanation for the waning popularity of wind projects in Michigan and around the county: a cult of homeowners whose objection to turbines is, according to a new video clip, wholly irrational. ‘Like a Cult’, a documentary-style ten-minute video from environmental activist Peter Sinclair and Yale Climate Connections, attacks local residents and officials in Michigan who express concerns about wind energy projects in their townships. The video singles out Kevon Martis, Deerfield Township . . . Complete story »
Wind farm issue will soon be resolved, but …
After reading Don Smucker’s analysis of Montcalm County’s green energy conflict in the Jan. 21 Daily News, I am also very concerned – but for a different reason. The wind ordinance issue will be resolved, but I am concerned some people in our society hold democracy in such contempt. Smucker boils down the problem quite nicely: “(Some people) simply do not want to look at any wind turbine … because they do not like how they look.” A simple summation based . . . Complete story »
U.S. wants thousands more wind farms, facing local opposition
Monticello, Ill. – Depressed property values. Flickering shadows. Falling ice. One by one, a real estate appraiser rattled off what he said were the deleterious effects of wind farms as a crowd in an agricultural community in central Illinois hung on his every word. It was the tenth night of hearings by the Piatt County zoning board, as a tiny town debated the merits of a proposed industrial wind farm that would see dozens of enormous turbines rise from the nearby . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine falls to ground in Leelanau County
(WPBN/WGTU) – The wind turbine that supplies energy to the Northport Leelanau Township Water Treatment plant is looking a little different now. According to Northport Trustee, Will Harper, high wind speeds on Wednesday, Dec. 14, caused the turbine to spin out of control and eventually fall to the ground. Harper also said the turbine has been out of commission for a while, and he’s unsure if it will be fixed. Complete story »
Wind turbine collapses in Northport
Leelanau Community Energy’s wind turbine in Northport sits in a heap at the base of its tower after the upper section broke off. It happened some time between sundown Thursday and sunup Friday, said Douglas McInnis, a manager and investor for Leelanau Community Energy. The company, which owns the turbine, had it offline while awaiting maintenance. Those maintenance items pertained to electronics, motors and other components involved in the turbine’s operation, McInnis said. None should have caused the tower to . . . Complete story »
Wind tax demands could bankrupt schools
A debate between Consumers Energy and Tuscola County could result in essential bankruptcy for county school districts and Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District. Since wind farms were constructed in the county in 2016 there has been an ongoing dispute between Consumers Energy and the county on the tax applied to the farms. There are currently 114 turbines that are being valued lower than what was originally agreed upon prior to construction. These turbines produce 231 megawatts of power for the county. . . . Complete story »
In Michigan’s Thumb, wind farm tax clawback would bankrupt schools
Tuscola County, MI – The sword of Damocles hanging over Unionville-Sebewing Area Schools has Consumers Energy written all over it. The rural district of about 680 students in Tuscola County is facing down a financial abyss thanks to the state’s largest energy provider, which is attempting to claw back nearly $1.2 million in disputed tax revenues levied on wind power turbines. Officials say the case threatens to wipe out district fund balances and toss them into deficit status with the state. . . . Complete story »
