News
Category:
Michigan
Several decisions involving wind turbines were made at Tuesday's Huron County Commissioners meeting.
The board voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution to share legal costs related to wind turbine tax value determinations.
Also filed under [
General]
To meet the 25-percent mandate, estimates range from 2,300 to 3,790 more turbines will be needed. Both sides do agree that the newer 2.4 megawatt (MW) capacity turbines will be used.
Also filed under [
General]
Unions, Dems split on renewable energy ballot issue at Michigan convention
September 9, 2012 by Chad Livengood in Detroit News
September 9, 2012 by Chad Livengood in Detroit News
The ballot campaign suffered a setback when construction and utility unions protested inclusion of the initiative in the Michigan Democratic Party's 2012 platform, arguing that mandating more solar and wind power could lead to fewer union jobs at coal-burning power plants.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
The Ishpeming City Council voted 3-1 Wednesday to send a letter to the Ishpeming Housing Commission asking for removal of the wind turbine that stands outside the building. ..."It's time to take the turbine down. I'm tired of looking at it," said Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Demarest.
Vandalism discovered at Mason County's Lake Winds Energy Park; reward offered for information
August 31, 2012 by Heather Lynn Peters in MLive
August 31, 2012 by Heather Lynn Peters in MLive
A reward is being offered for vandalism of wind turbines at Mason County's Lake Winds Energy Park, the Ludington Daily News is reporting.
Details of the vandalism wasn't immediately known.
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General]
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]
Renewable energy standards don't belong in state constitution, opponents say
August 26, 2012 by Charles Crumm in The Oakland Press
August 26, 2012 by Charles Crumm in The Oakland Press
"Particularly on energy policy, it is absolutely critical to have flexibility to respond to changing circumstances over time," says Ken Sikkema, a former Michigan Republican Senate majority leader, who recently met with The Oakland Press editorial board. ...there is already a renewable energy standard of 10 percent, established by the state Legislature.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
Electric rates soar, but utilities say they fund green energy initiatives
August 22, 2012 by Eric Millikin in Detroit Free Press
August 22, 2012 by Eric Millikin in Detroit Free Press
A report to be released today says a 2008 state law that was supposed to result in lower electricity rates has instead led to double-digit increases for Michigan consumers.
Also filed under [
General]
"Whoever you're talking to, they want you to be on their side of the issue. You've got one person, usually with a windmill on their property who's getting money for it, saying, 'Aren't they beautiful.' Then there's the other one, who doesn't have one, who feels they're ugly and has absolutely no use for it."
Also filed under [
General]
Seneca Township voters to decide wind ordinance fate
August 2, 2012 by John Mulcahy in Daily Telegram
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.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Green energy mandate supporter claims individuals 'do not have rights to quiet'
July 25, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
July 25, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
People who move to the country don't have a right to a quiet environment, according to the head of one of Michigan's major renewable energy advocacy groups.
John Sarver, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, made the statement in an email to colleagues in February 2011.
Also filed under [
General]
Muskegon County wind-farm investigation begins with $110,000 payment from Gamesa
July 20, 2012 by Eric Gaertner in Muskegon News
July 20, 2012 by Eric Gaertner in Muskegon News
County and Gamesa Energy officials signed a lease in May that gives the wind farm developer and wind turbine manufacturer the exclusive rights to investigate erecting commercial-scale wind turbines on the wastewater site. If all goes as planned a 150-megawatt wind farm built could by 2014.
Also filed under [
General]
Wruble told the planning commission he was concerned because he's heard a landowner say they intentionally asked wind developers to site turbines as close to their neighbor's property as possible. He said he wants to see a map detailing where existing turbines sit and how close they are to a neighbor's home, versus how close they are to the property owner's home.
Another issue Wruble brought up was whether the county will consider limiting how many turbines can be erected in Huron County.
Also filed under [
General]
County projected to have 160 turbines by end of year
July 13, 2012 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
July 13, 2012 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
The local area is expected to have 160 wind turbines in operation by the end of the year, according to projections from the Huron County Building and Zoning Office.
Jeff Smith, director of Huron County Building and Zoning, said that number includes the 78 turbines that currently are in operation in Huron County.
Also filed under [
General]
Holland BPW plans for a windfarm have been scrapped
July 12, 2012 by Greg Chandler in Grand Rapids Press
July 12, 2012 by Greg Chandler in Grand Rapids Press
The Holland Board of Public Works has come up empty on an effort to establish a wind energy project.
The city-owned utility pulled the plug on a proposed windfarm in Allegan County, after an analysis of wind speeds and other related information led officials to believe the project is not cost-effective.
Also filed under [
General]
Wind Association executive to state bureaucrats: 'delete these types of emails'
July 12, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
July 12, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
Written 14 months ago, the context of the email was what appears to have been a successful effort by government bureaucrats to derail a pending noise level reduction recommendation. The email advising state employees delete conversations was one of several emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act pertaining to the wind turbine noise level issue.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Raisin Township ordinances will allow wind turbines up to 120 feet
July 11, 2012 by David Frownfelder in Daily Telegram
July 11, 2012 by David Frownfelder in Daily Telegram
A series of ordinances regulating wind turbines in Raisin Township was described by township attorney David Lacasse as being a fair and balanced set of regulations. The township board approved the ordinances by unanimous voice votes Monday.
"It gives reasonable regulation with the safety of residents being foremost," Lacasse said. "It's not as restrictive as some, but it achieves a real good balance."
Also filed under [
General]
Wind noise dispute pits scientists against state officials
July 7, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
July 7, 2012 by Jack Spencer in Michigan Capitol Confidential
A panel of experts who were appointed to work toward noise level guidelines for wind turbines in Michigan had their work discarded when state bureaucrats didn't like what the panel was coming up with and made up their own rules instead.
Also filed under [
Noise]
Competing groups debate constitutional amendment to raise standard for renewable energy
July 1, 2012 by Zlati Meyer in Detroit Free Press
July 1, 2012 by Zlati Meyer in Detroit Free Press
But opponents -- including utilities, business people and union officials -- say it'll end up costing them and their customers that same $10 billion in higher business costs and rates.
This camp says legislation, not the state Constitution, is the proper route for changing the standard, the same method used for the current 10% standard.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
Conlen said that if the effort to circumvent the election result in Lake Township through annexation had succeeded, DTE would have had to evaluate the situation. The utility would not have automatically located wind turbines on the newly annexed property.
"Look, we don't want unhappy neighbors." Conlen said.
Also filed under [
General]
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