A recent Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting raised some interesting issues about the future of one of the county's landmarks.

The public hearing garnered discussion on whether the county should allow construction and operation of wind turbines on a parcel of county-owned land near Gratiot Lake encompassing Mt. Horace Greeley.

The notion is an attractive one. Alternative energy sources have taken center stage in the media as technological advancements offer possible solutions to the nation's reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as oil. Keweenaw County could also garner more intangible benefits as some visitors may be drawn to the county for its proactive and progressive stance on energy generation.

Mt. Horace Greeley currently boasts abandoned residences and industrial storage buildings left behind when the Keweenaw Academy youth correctional facility closed in early 2004. The wind turbine project would offer the county a new revenue stream for otherwise largely unused space.

Finally, the site also houses a number of cell phone, radio and Internet towers that, along with infrastructure for water supply, telephone cables and other services deems the area far from - dare we say it - pristine.

On the flip side, the jury is still out on a number of issues regarding wind power. Local officials have decried the lack of environmental studies done in advance of the test site to determine the impact on local migratory bird populations and other wildlife.

Residents, some of whom live only a mile away from the site, are concerned about noise, which The American Wind Energy Association admits can be more audible in low-density areas of hilly terrain.

Since its land use is primarily recreational and surrounding townships are comprised mostly of summer and retirement homes, county tourism dollars are also at stake.

There is no data available to determine what effect, if any, the addition of wind turbines would have on potential, current or returning visitors who view Keweenaw County as the last unspoiled scenic refuge in the state.

Whether or not wind turbine energy is good for Mt. Horace Greeley should be decided by the county's residents. Debate over this issue, which will have long-term effects, should be encouraged.

Statements made at the recent public hearing strongly suggest almost no public awareness of the county's plans and therefore, little opportunity for input. Considerable concern centers on the county's proposed contract with Mackinaw Power LLC, which local officials, residents and attorneys have stated is one-sided and highly disadvantageous to the county.

Keweenaw County officials are strongly urged to clarify these issues, ensuring that sufficient county control is maintained in this or any future contract to assure the best interests of the residents who elected them.

If that can't be done with Mackinaw Power, then the county is best advised to find a more flexible tenant or put the site to another use.