www.windaction.org

County Council votes to restrict wind farms
May 6, 2013 by Rusty Nixon in The Pilot News

When taken in total the restrictions make it highly unlikely that a commercial wind energy conversion system could set up operation in Marshall County.

County holds its ground on new wind business
April 24, 2013 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune

"With the instability, uncertainty and lack of direction related to the issues pertaining to wind energy throughout the State, the Huron County Board of Commissioners will not schedule any additional wind turbine action on the Board's agenda until there is resolution to these issues," the letter states.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies]

Local ordinances stall wind farm projects in Michigan
April 14, 2013 by Jim Lynch in The Detroit News

In January, the company cleared one regulatory hurdle when it received a land-use permit from Clinton County. But in the months prior, each of the three townships passed ordinances that could hinder Forest Hill's efforts to begin construction before the end of the year.

Wind turbine sound limit should be increased in Emmet County
April 8, 2013 by Brandon Hubbard in Petoskey News

County officials have been looking at what revisions might be needed to its 2009 wind energy systems ordinance -- capping wind turbine sound at 35 decibels -- to be defendable in court. Turbine developers have called the limit "exclusionary zoning" that essentially eliminates energy systems, compared to the 55-decibel state of Michigan guideline.

Also filed under [ Noise]

Wind farm ordinance on the ballot
February 25, 2013 by Andy Barrand in Hillsdale.net

The changes to the wind project ordinance were brought to a special election after township residents filed a petition to have the changes put up for a vote with a referendum. Alan Jon Burrell, Reading Township supervisor said the special election will give everyone in Reading Township to weigh in on the wind farm ordinance.

Bengal Township restricts wind turbine projects
December 1, 2012 by Steven R. Reed in Lansing State Journal

Bengal Township has joined the list of local governments imposing stricter wind turbine ordinances than current Clinton County regulations. In a 5-0 vote during a special meeting Thursday night, the Bengal Township Board of Trustees joined Dallas and Essex townships in approving a more restrictive measure.

Residents pack township hall for vote approving wind-turbine ordinance
November 29, 2012 by Steven R. Reed in Lansing State Journal

About 150 people filled the township hall for the reconsideration of the ordinance by board members who had declined, on a vote of two in favor and three against, to approve virtually the same ordinance two weeks earlier. The ordinance restricts wind turbines to a height that developers say is not feasible for their 40-tower project.

Seneca Township voters to decide wind ordinance fate
August 2, 2012 by John Mulcahy in Daily Telegram

Seneca Township voters will decide Aug. 7 whether to keep a wind energy ordinance unanimously approved by the township board of trustees in March. The ordinance prescribes rules for wind energy turbines such as how far the turbines would have to be set back from dwellings and what sound levels would be allowed.

County considers another vote on wind energy district
June 21, 2012 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune

A resolution to OK a wind energy overlay district for DTE Energy in Section 13 of McKinley Township could still gain approval of the Huron County Board of Commissioners. That's only if at least one of the three commissioners who voted against the district brings the resolution back to the table.

Chandler Township rejects land transfer
June 6, 2012 by Karrie Koceba in Huron Daily Tribune

"Bob (Smith), we will not be entering into negotiations with you. T.L. (Bushey), Chandler Township is not interested in a 425 agreement with Lake (Township)," said Renn, which prompted applause from some audience members, and others to storm out of the room.

Lake Twp. to enter transfer talks
May 23, 2012 by Karrie Koceba in Huron Daily Tribune

Lake Township Board Trustee Dale Hartsell said he thinks it would be best to take a second look at the zoning ordinance before agreeing to the land transfer. "I'd like to keep our land in Lake Township and try to work on the ordinance some more to see if we can come up with something everyone can agree on," he said.

Lake Township board on 3-2 vote to explore 4-25 agreement
May 22, 2012 in Thumb Net

A 4-25 agreement is not annexation, as it is only for an agreed, specified period, but would put that property under Chandler Township zoning, which has a wind energy development ordinance.

Palmyra Township voters reject wind turbine ordinance
May 9, 2012 by David Frownfelder in Daily Telegram

"I hope the Palmyra leadership will take a second look at the state-recommended model ordinance that is in effect in Riga which requires the consent of all the taxpayers in the township, instead of an ordinance like that rejected in Palmyra that effectively causes people to give up their future development rights to outside industrial wind developers."

Palmyra Township residents to vote on wind turbine ordinance Tuesday
May 6, 2012 by David Frownfelder in The Daily Telegram

Palmyra Township residents will vote Tuesday, May 8, on the proposed industrial wind turbine zoning ordinance passed by the township board in October.

Cooper sides with ZBA: Rules board considered ample evidence in wind turbine case
March 20, 2012 by Brian Mulherin in Ludington Daily News

The ruling makes way for the 56 turbines planned for Riveron and Summit townships in Consumers Energy's Lake Winds Energy Park to go up as planned. Site-prep work is going on now and turbines, at 476 feet tall, will be erected beginning late this spring.

Lake Township voters say windmills won't turn here
February 29, 2012 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune

A referendum asking residents to approve the adoption of the township's wind energy zoning ordinance was voted down 207-128 ...The ordinance was adopted by the township planning commission, but it did not go into effect because a petition was filed.

Strong wind ordinance supported
January 13, 2012 by Stacey Tucker in Tuscola County Advertiser

"They were overwhelmingly against placement of wind turbines in the community." One by one, residents stepped forward to share their concerns about windmills constructed near their homes and in their community.

Planning board's review of wind ordinance questioned by some
November 15, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune

The board of commissioners passed a resolution Oct. 11 asking the planning commission to review a number of issues pertaining to wind energy for the county's zoning ordinance. They included a prohibition of wind turbines in Lake Huron/Saginaw Bay and turbines within 3 miles of the shoreline.

Wind energy debate shifts to Ogden and Palmyra townships
November 11, 2011 by Erik Gable in The Daily Telegram

With the approval in Riga Township of a wind turbine ordinance that wind power supporters say effectively bans turbines in the township, the wind energy debate now shifts to Ogden and Palmyra townships. In Ogden Township, which does not have zoning, the township board will be discussing a police powers ordinance to regulate turbines.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Notice filed to put Deerfield wind district up for vote
November 5, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune

Carl Duda, who filed the notice of intent on Thursday, was one of those opposed to the new wind district. He has shared concerns with a group he is working with in efforts to get the referendum on ballot, he said.

News

Zoning/Planning and Michigan