Offshore wind farm proposal goes before Oceana Planning Commission

HART -- Oceana County commissioners agreed Thursday to send the request from an offshore wind development group on to the county's planning commission for its input.

Despite pressure from opponents of the proposed offshore wind farm to end the plan, commissioners decided to refer the memo from Scandia Wind to the planners for review, study and a recommendation.

Scandia Wind, in partnership with Havgul Clean Energy AS of Norway, has asked the county boards of Oceana and Mason counties for a preliminary opinion on the proposed wind farm in Lake Michigan before the developers begin the expensive and extensive study process. The current proposal calls for 100 wind turbines to be installed four miles off the coast of Oceana and Mason counties. Scandia officialls will lobby Muskegon County leaders in a series of private meetings Monday.

About 40 people, most opposed to the proposed development, made for a standing-room-only crowd inside the county board's meeting chamber. Many public comments were made, including some requesting that the board vote to tell Scandia Wind that it would not support the proposed project.

County board Chairman Larry VanSickle credited residents for sending the board a large amount of correspondence on the issue, but he suggested that they focus their attention on state officials.

"I'm not confident that any decision we make is going to carry much weight anyway," VanSickle said, referencing Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council recommendations that would put the final decision in the state's hands.

County Commissioner Gerald Malburg -- whose district includes Pentwater Township, an area home to many in a group opposed to the project -- told the residents who attended the meeting that their comments will now be needed in Lansing. Legislation concerning state regulations on offshore wind is expected to be debated soon.

"This board is not taking this lightly," Malburg said.

Many residents criticized the proposed development, including the claims by developers that many jobs will be created and that wind turbines won't cause environmental concerns in the Great Lakes.

"Scandia wants to take the lake, spoil the views, ruin tourism," said Ed Clifford, of Mears.

Tom Thompson, a resident of Muskegon County's Fruitland Township who made the drive north for the meeting, said this may be another attack on the Great Lakes, comparing it to the water bottlers and the invasive species.

"We have to be careful and protect the resource," Thompson said. "Wind energy has its place, but we have to be careful with it."

Dan Filius of Pentwater said Pentwater's economy already has been affected by the proposed development of offshore wind energy in Lake Michigan.

"Some home sales have been canceled because of the possibility of offshore wind," Filius said. "Vote to end this project now."

Two women who are part of a Facebook group that has formed in support of investigating offshore wind in the area spoke in favor of exploring the issue. Debbie Chase of Walkerville said she is in favor of looking into it.

The Oceana County Planning Commission holds its regular meetings at 1:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the county building, 314 S. State St., Hart.

Mason County commissioners, who discussed Scandia's request at a board meeting Tuesday, suggested a possible combined meeting with Oceana County commissioners to discuss the issue.