News
Category:
Michigan
Mackinaw Power pulls out, then retracts
February 18, 2006 by Jane Nordberg, Gazette Writer in The Mining Gazette
February 18, 2006 by Jane Nordberg, Gazette Writer in The Mining Gazette
EAGLE HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Miscommunications may have helped to widen a potentially irreparable rift this week between Keweenaw County officials and Lowell, Mich.-based Mackinaw Power, LLC.
The county has been in contract negotiations with the power company regarding possible wind turbine use on the north face of Mt. Horace Greeley in Eagle Harbor Township.
Also filed under [
General]
Madison Township puts a hold on future wind turbines
April 14, 2011 by John Mulcahy in Daily Telegram
April 14, 2011 by John Mulcahy in Daily Telegram
The Madison Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to impose a six-month moratorium on the construction of any wind turbines in the township.
Also filed under [
General]
Major windpower proposal stirs Benzie, Manistee counties
January 27, 2011 by Glenn Puit in Michigan Land Use Institute
January 27, 2011 by Glenn Puit in Michigan Land Use Institute
The movie (WINDFALL), which presents no views or facts either supporting or contradicting the claims made by the worried residents it interviews, clearly influenced the opinions of many in attendance, including Beulah resident Alice Mummey. Ms. Mummey says she is sympathetic to environmental causes ...But she said the movie gave her pause when it comes to building a wind farm in her own county.
Also filed under [
Impact on Landscape|
Impact on People]
The board approved the resolution, 4-3, with commissioners Richard Schmidt, Ervin Kowalski, Glenn Lottie and Carl Rutske voting yes and Jim Krolczyk, Duane Anderson and Ken Hilliard voting no.
Kaminiski said the county board does not control zoning in Manistee County, and it is instead ruled by the individual township governments.
Also filed under [
General]
Many questions go unanswered at wind farm public forum
January 19, 2010 by John Cavanagh Herald-Journal in Oceana's Herald-Journal
January 19, 2010 by John Cavanagh Herald-Journal in Oceana's Herald-Journal
Lots of questions, but not all of the answers were presented as supporters and opponents filled the Shelby High School Auditorium Monday night to learn more about a proposed 1,000 megawatt wind farm in Lake Michigan. ...Developers didn't have answers to many of the questions presented, saying that information will become available as more studies and research are completed.
Also filed under [
General]
Consumer's Energy hopes to build a wind farm just south of the Mason County Airport, made up of 56 turbines.
Nearly 75% of them exceed the height requirements because they are so close to the airport.
Also filed under [
Safety]
Mason County board plans more research on offshore wind farm
May 15, 2010 by Eric Gaertner in Muskegon Chronicle
May 15, 2010 by Eric Gaertner in Muskegon Chronicle
Mason County commissioners will continue to research the controversial proposal that would result in large wind turbines in Lake Michigan.
The commissioners at a meeting Tuesday, directed county board Chairman Michael Schneider to establish a committee to look into the issue.
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County board rejects Scandia proposal for offshore wind farm
June 9, 2010 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
June 9, 2010 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
The Mason County Board of Commissioners has overwhelmingly rejected the idea of putting up to 100 wind turbines off its shores in Lake Michigan.
The county board Tuesday voted 9-1 against a resolution from Scandia Wind Offshore asking the community to accept the view of the turbines 4 miles off the coast at the Mason-Oceana county line near Pentwater.
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County Board wants meeting with Oceana County Board to discuss offshore wind farm
March 8, 2010 by Jordan Travis in Muskegon Chronicle
March 8, 2010 by Jordan Travis in Muskegon Chronicle
The Mason County Board of Commissioners concluded Tuesday that a decision on a proposed offshore wind farm in Lake Michigan should be made after a joint meeting with the Oceana County Board.
Chairman Michael Schneider reminded fellow board members that this is the first written and signed proposal they've had from Minnesota-based Scandia Wind LLC and Havgul Clean Energy AS of Norway.
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County Commissioners hear from both sides on wind farm debate
May 7, 2010 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
May 7, 2010 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
A wind farm 4 miles offshore from Pentwater would threaten the tourism industry and erode the lakeshore tax base, an opposition group told the Mason County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioners are being asked to give the go-ahead to Scandia Wind Offshore to begin extensive studies for an 1,100 mega watt West Michigan wind development, including 50-100 large turbines in Lake Michigan along Mason and Oceana counties.
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County planners unanimously approve Consumers wind farm plan
July 8, 2011 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
July 8, 2011 by Dave Alexander in Muskegon Chronicle
But opponents - many of them landowners in the two townships not compensated by the Consumers land leases - chastised planning commissioners for making a decision to satisfy the public utility. One critic said Lake Winds in the two southern townships will "drastically alter the future of Mason County."
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County rejects offshore wind proposal; Scandia withdraws request at last minute
June 11, 2010 by Patti Klevorn in Oceana Herald-Journal
June 11, 2010 by Patti Klevorn in Oceana Herald-Journal
Oceana County still has a vote, but as far as Mason County commissioners are concerned, Scandia Wind's proposal for 50 to 100 wind turbines in Lake Michigan is a dead issue. ...The developer actually withdrew its proposal - submitting a letter just prior to the meeting. It stated the representatives recognized "a resolution of this nature is premature" as the state works on its permit process.
Also filed under [
General]
Mason County wind farm neighbors sue Consumers Energy, claim physical harm from Lake Winds Energy Park
April 8, 2013 by John S. Hausman in Michigan Live
April 8, 2013 by John S. Hausman in Michigan Live
The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs will continue to suffer harm, including physical injury, emotional distress and loss of property value if they continue to be exposed to the wind farm's operation.
The $250 million Lake Winds Energy Park development generates 100.8 megawatts of electricity. Its Vestas turbines are 312 feet high at the hub, with rotor blades having a 328-foot diameter.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
The Wiltzer family claims to have suffered from numerous issues as a result of the wind turbine's construction, including sleep disturbance, dizziness, stress, fatigue, weight loss, headaches, motion disturbance, and so on.
According to the suit, the members of the family live in a cottage in order to avoid the health effects of living near the wind turbine.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Construction crews will have to assess the damage to a wind turbine that caught fire in Missaukee County.
Also filed under [
Safety|
Structural Failure]
McKinley Wind Farm nets conditional approval
September 5, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
September 5, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
Planning commissioners questioned whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will hold fast to its recommendation that wind developments not be constructed within 3 miles of the shoreline.
Wagner said the USFWS thinks 3 miles is a good standard, but it's willing to accept a location closer to the shoreline if data proves it won't cause harm.
Also filed under [
General]
Township Clerk Stephanie VanSickle said that township officials will not have to have any direct votes on the wind farm project. However, the township will make modifications to its zoning ordinance to take care of land use issues created by the large turbine towers.
VanSickle said that township officials have not received much negative reaction to the wind project since it publicly surfaced last month.
Also filed under [
General]
Merritt Township rejects permit that would have brought nine wind turbines to area
February 22, 2012 by MacKenzie Burger in The Bay City Times
February 22, 2012 by MacKenzie Burger in The Bay City Times
"The debate had been going on for a long time and a decision had to be made," said Dave Schabel, Merritt Township supervisor. "I think the commission made the best decision that they could."
Mary Wells, spokesperson for NexEra, said that officials were surprised and very disappointed by the decision.
Also filed under [
General]
Merritt Township supervisor looks to heal community wounds following wind turbine decision
February 23, 2012 by MacKenzie Burger in The Bay City Times
February 23, 2012 by MacKenzie Burger in The Bay City Times
"This was the toughest decision they had to make, and hopefully there won't be anymore like this," Schabel said. "It's heavy pressure, does everyone agree with it, no, but they did the best they could." ..."They studied it thoroughy," said John McQuillan, Merritt Township attorney. "That's why the Planning Commission is appointed to make this decision."
Also filed under [
General]
Mich. Legislature appears close on energy plan
September 7, 2008 by David Eggert in Associated Press
September 7, 2008 by David Eggert in Associated Press
Lawmakers may be close to finishing up a state energy plan, but that's not stopping critics from going after details of a requirement in the bills to use more renewable energy.
Although making Michigan less reliant on traditional sources of electricity is seen as a laudable goal, the timeline and price tag of the new renewable requirements are causing disagreements.
Critics say the bipartisan plan being negotiated is "unforgivably expensive." They say they wonder why customers would be charged more up front before seeing extra green power. ..."Too little information on the cost of these bills is being made available to lawmakers," he said.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
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