http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/23206 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT John Deere Renewables' 32-tower wind plant located in the Village of Ubly, Huron County Michigan is the largest wind facility in the State. The 53-megawatt facility went into commercial operation in December 2008. The turbines dominate the landscape, and noise emissions are proving unbearable for some neighboring residents. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23206 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23207 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT John Deere Renewables' 32-tower wind plant located in the Village of Ubly, Huron County Michigan is the largest wind facility in the State. The 53-megawatt facility went into commercial operation in December 2008. The turbines dominate the landscape, and noise emissions are proving unbearable for some neighboring residents. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23207 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23210 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT John Deere Renewables' 32-tower wind plant located in the Village of Ubly, Huron County Michigan is the largest wind facility in the State. The 53-megawatt facility went into commercial operation in December 2008. The turbines dominate the landscape, and noise emissions are proving unbearable for some neighboring residents. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23210 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21531 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:08:45 GMT The home of David Peplinski is dwarfed by one of the wind turbines that is about 1,500 feet from his property. Peplinski says he and his family are kept up at night by the sound and vibrations produced by the nearby turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21531 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24169 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:22:00 GMT In an interview Wednesday, Huron County Commissioner Kurt Damrow said Monday's public hearing is the last chance for local units of government, including townships that have control of their zoning and have a wind turbine ordinance, to speak to the State of Michigan in regard to maintaining local control over setback requirements and noise limitations for wind developments. "What's on the line is whether local units of government will have a say in zoning, specifically (regarding) setbacks and noise," Damrow said. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24169 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23922 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:28:18 GMT Officials announced last week that the Michigan Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing later this month to garner public comment on the effect of wind turbine setback requirements and noise limitations under local zoning or other ordinances on wind energy development in wind energy resource zones. The hearing is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at the MPSC's office. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23922 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23527 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:26:18 GMT Following a public hearing on Wednesday, the Huron County Planning Commission approved a zoning ordinance amendment recommendation to add a complaint resolution section to the county's wind overlay zoning provisions. "It's up to them now," said Huron County Planning Commission Chairman Ted Sheldon, referring to the Huron County Board of Commissioners. Russ Lundberg, Huron County Building and Zoning director, explained the recommendation will be sent to the Huron County Board of Commissioners for adoption, rejection or modification. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23527 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23336 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:51:28 GMT In the Champagne household, there are two opinions on the whirling wind turbines that surround the family's home of 35 years. Gene Champagne is bothered by the thumping, rumbling sound of the blades that loom like giants over the house. The noise disturbs his sleep and destroys his TV reception. Flickering shadows from sun on the blades run around rooms. ...Opponents say tighter restrictions are needed. The wind industry says tougher rules will keep wind farms out of Michigan. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23336 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23352 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:54:25 GMT Gov. Jennifer Granholm has dreams of bringing as many as 4,000 wind turbines to Michigan, making it the nation's 14th windiest state and a major player in wind power to attract green jobs and investment. But some people who have turbines as neighbors are pushing back against the winds of change, the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23352 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22866 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:07:15 GMT Epsilon Associates, Inc. of Massachusetts will be conducting a noise study at the Michigan I Wind Park next month, and the study was a focal point of conversation during the Huron County Wind Energy Subcommittee meeting. Russ Lundberg, Huron County Building and Zoning director, said he and Kurt Damrow, Huron County commissioner and head of the subcommittee, met with Rob O'Neal of Epsilon Associates earlier this month. The company was hired by John Deere Wind to complete the wind turbine noise study. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22866 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22861 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:42:10 GMT There were a flurry of opinions either in favor or opposed to the Thumb becoming a designated wind energy resource zone given Monday during the first of two public hearings that will be held in the state this month. There was standing room only at Monday's meeting, which was held at the Expo Center in Bad Axe. The meeting is part of an effort to receive comment from four regions in the state identified as having the highest level of wind energy harvest potential in a June 2 proposed report by the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22861 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22667 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:15:18 GMT While the Huron County Wind Energy Subcommittee had expressed hope a state university would take the lead on a comprehensive heath study on the effects of wind turbine noise, it learned last week it's unlikely. Before last week's meeting, several subcommittee members met with Dr. Alfred Franzblau, University of Michigan Environmental Health Sciences professor, via teleconference to discuss the possibility of a noise study. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22667 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22517 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:16:52 GMT During last week's meeting of the Huron County Wind Energy Subcommittee, which was formed to address complaints about wind turbines from residents, Huron County Commissioner Kurt Damrow said a teleconference will take place in the near future, although a date has yet to be determined. Huron County Health Department officials, along with some members of the subcommittee, will discuss the protocol of a health study with the universities. Previous studies on the subject will be reviewed to determine their applicability to Huron County. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22517 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22102 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:16:00 GMT People are typically in favor of the idea of wind energy - until they're faced with the reality of gigantic, utility-sized turbines erected in their community. With utilities exploring potential wind power facilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties, a new study will give communities both sides of the blustery subject. ...The study will explore coastal wind energy in Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon and Oceana counties both on land and in water. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22102 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21811 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:32:19 GMT People who live near some of the 46 turbines at a wind park in Bingham and Sheridan townships are now complaining about ongoing noise and rumble from the 300-foot-tall renewable energy generators. "You can't go outside and have a nice, peaceful quiet night anymore," said Curt Watchowski, 42, who lives about 1,500 feet from two turbines on Purdy Road. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21811 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21734 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:58:15 GMT Huron County commissioners decided Tuesday to conduct a noise study of the Michigan Wind 1 development that's independent of one that will be conducted later this summer by John Deere Wind Energy. Commissioner Dave Peruski said an independent study on the existing turbines near Ubly will provide more evidence on what effects the park may be having on nearby neighbors. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21734 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21645 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:16:13 GMT There were windmill-shaped cookies offered as snacks at the Tustin Library last night, but citizens were really hungry for facts about what it was like to have a wind turbine as a neighbor. The meeting was sponsored by a group of landowners and citizens interested in the possibility of wind turbine power in Sherman Township. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21645 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21681 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:47:00 GMT Officials said the subcommittee recently formed to address a series of noise complaints the county has received regarding the Michigan Wind 1 development in Ubly will meet every Thursday. ...Damrow said Huron County Environmental Health Director Dale Lipar also was extended an invitation to participate in the subcommittee because this issue has to do with public health concerns raised by the residents who submitted the noise complaints. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21681 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21598 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:36:08 GMT After receiving several letters of complaints from Huron County residents over the last several months regarding the effects wind turbines are having on their lives, the county is taking steps to properly address the issues. Advertisement At last week's Huron County Planning Commission meeting it was announced that a committee will be formed that will include commissioners David Peruski and Kurt Damrow, as well as three members from the Planning Commission. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21598 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21449 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:57:39 GMT There was standing room only at Wednesday's Huron County Planning Commission meeting, where officials discussed plans to address a series of noise complaints the county has received in recent months regarding the Michigan Wind 1 development in Ubly. Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said the county has received a total of four complaints that cite problems residents have experienced as a result of the Michigan Wind 1 development in Ubly. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21449