But with the wind that whips off of the Great Lakes, there's potential for wind farms to someday provide enough energy to lessen the need for burning more fossil fuels to create electricity.

Last week, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and representatives of the Wolverine Power Cooperative and John Deere Wind Energy announced the construction of a wind turbine complex in Huron County, in Michigan's Thumb, that will be able to power up to 15,000 homes.

The $90 million Harvest Wind Farm would be the first of its kind and scope in the state. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation will offer tax incentives.

Alternative and renewable energy is the watchword among Democrats in Lansing these days.

Last week, they announced a plan that would require electrical utilities to boost the percentage of power they generate from renewable sources to 25 percent of total output by 2025. Today, about 3 percent comes from renewable sources - that includes wind and solar power as well as biofuels.

Democrats also want to set up special renaissance zones that offer tax breaks for solar and wind power, as well as for companies developing fuel-cell technology. Tax credits would be available to people who buy energy-efficient appliances or solar energy equipment.

We applaud any effort to offer incentives to increase the use of renewable and alternative energy sources to power Michigan.

But we hope the 25-percent goal can be reached by offering incentives, not by issuing mandates. The cheapest source of energy in the United States is coal. For the time being, at least, renewable sources of energy are a more expensive alternative. It would not bode well for economic development in Michigan if the state had astronomical energy costs.

It is possible that improvements in technology will drive down the cost of energy from renewable sources. If that turns out to be the case, then market forces, not mandates, will certainly create greater incentives to gradually replace coal with renewables. In fact, the production of renewables and alternatives may turn out to be a powerful economic generator in itself.

We applaud the emphasis in Lansing on shifting the state's energy to renewable and alternative sources.

Let's make sure, though, to make the shift without hurting the state's economy.