Promising results from two test towers propel $3M plan to install more turbines.

It's been nearly a year since the city announced plans for an urban wind farm, and this week officials said findings show they are picking up speed.

By Friday, Taylor expects to review the latest data from a pair of 50-foot-tall meteorological towers in the city's north and south ends to determine if the city will move ahead on a $3 million plan to install up to five wind turbines as early as next year.

The towers, at the northwest corner of Monroe and Ecorse and at Racho near Interstate 75, have been recording wind speed, direction and temperature since installed in August and October.

So far, results from the $100,000 study are promising, said Mayor Cameron Priebe, who hopes to present a proposal for hiring financial consultants, conducting a feasibility study and nailing down funding sources to the City Council early next year.

"Wind energy is underutilized in southeast Michigan. We're continuing to follow up on this tremendous source of alternative energy," Priebe said. "We know things are looking good. We want to do this smart and correctly."

Priebe said if all goes right, the city hopes to secure funding, order turbines and have the devices in service within three or four years.

The 1.5 or 2 megawatt machines, towering about 250 to 300 feet high, could find their homes at one of the city's larger parks, city hall, two golf courses and an apartment complex, Priebe said.

Taylor's effort mirrors that of Wyandotte, which has been looking into five 1.8 megawatt turbines since 2006. Other projects are pending in Washtenaw and Huron counties and at Oakland University, where officials are reviewing a two-year study for two windmills.

Oakland University Energy Manager Jim Leidel said Taylor is planning a new urban twist.

"The vision is kind of neat," said Leidel, who has acted as an advisor for the project. "When you are looking at a community, to scatter them (turbines) around would be new-age thinking."

This isn't the city's first green venture. It has dialed down electricity in city buildings to save more than $140,000 annually and has proactive biodiesel and hydrogen programs and a compost facility, among other efforts.

Leidel said the project won't be without its challenges.

Taylor will need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to erect the turbines because of its proximity to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and will likely face some opposition.

"They are on the road toward the project but there are spots that could derail it," he said. "There will be people who think these are ugly and the aesthetics are terrible and it will kill birds."

Priebe said the goal is to power up city facilities, the police department and fire station, sell excess power to utility companies and use it to help low-income residents.