He saw it as a win-win-win situation: the turbine would produce renewable energy, Sanilac County would reap tax revenue benefits and he would get a personal lease payment each year. dropdown.onchange = onCatChange; Stone says township officials with a financial conflict have recused themselves from the decision-making process. var dropdown = document.getElementById("cat"); It is a long hard road, and we cannot simply rejoice and leave the table and assume all will be ok., Its the same situation and every small community in the United States where wind companies show up and try to force their wind developments into that community. | Landowners get quarterly per-acre payments if the power company has a wind turbine on your land, or cables running underneath it. Remember, wind turbines only create energy if there is wind. Topics covered: smart grid tech, clean energy, regulation, generation, and much more. Letters AEP took control of the project after it bought Sempra Energys wind turbine assets in 2019. Canada While DTE says it plans to get that capacity from a number of different sources, a conservative estimate is that it will need hundreds of additional wind turbines to hit that goal. Indiana Copyright Law and similar fair dealing provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Rural Americans do not want 680 ft wind turbines installed 1000 ft from their homes. The Jackson-based utility has pledgedto reduce carbon dioxide emissions more than 90% by 2040 in part by developing more wind and solar energy. |. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Donate | Contact Us, majority of the states wind developments, Michigan Treasury stiffs workers on new tax cut, Despite billions in corporate welfare, Michigans jobs market still back of the pack, Lansing Math: Michigan pays $340,000 per (promised) job at Gotion factory, Michigans income tax cut was 16 years in the making. South Africa And while township officials review and debate, residents try to seek answers to their concerns and explanations to the financial gain of the project. We would hope to bring the project online by the end of 2018.. Contact Nicole Hayden at 810-989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. population centers than nearby because it is more expensive to transmit South Carolina Norwegian developers are proposing the states first offshore wind farm in Lake Michigan near Pentwater. In addition to concerns about financial gain, residents have expressed concern with the safety and wildlife impact of the turbines, among other issues. Answer: According to Tillman, Exelon spokesman, the 68 turbines will be able to produce enough energy annually to power 44,000 Michigan homes a year. Tillman said that is an average amount, not full capacity. Remember, wind turbines only create energy if there is wind. The company says the need for the project is greater than ever due to Michigan closing some of its power and nuclear plants, along with residents in support of the project. Madagascar Iceland the houses in the area. The project, spread over the two townships, would be the third wind farm developed by NextEra in the county. Wind knocks out power to 30,000 across Michigan as crews scramble to make repairs. Citizens split on wind turbine plant in Montcalm County - WXMI Sempra had repeatedly asked Casnovia Township for a three-year permit that they claimed was an acceptable period to get the project up and running, according to the lawsuit. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimatesthat in 2019 there will be the highest amount of wind capacity added to the country's electricity grid since 2012 as developers look to qualify for the federal Production Tax Credit. .page .article .comments .fb-comments span, Nicaragua The community divide concerning a wholly unnecessary project was also noted in social media comments: [] https://www.masterresource.org/wind-turbine-noise-issues/big-wind-loses-lapeer-county/ [], [] Big Wind Throws in the Towel in Lapeer County, Michigan (grassroots environmentalism prevails) []. [2] The turbines would be a few miles from the eastern coastline and But Ken Bradstreet, Wolverine Power Cooperative spokesman, said the rate would be competitive. Answer: Chris Martinelli, 56, of Bridgehampton Townshipsaid his biggest concern with the turbine project is the safety factor: flying turbine blades and turbines catching fire. The proposed legislation also dedicates the majority of royalties collected for further scientific study and habitat restoration efforts in general. further away because the company would have to invest fewer resources to It just takes a few to believe the money is easy and the reason honorable. it is much more expensive to build any kind of power plant far from to population centers and, at times, certain tourist locations. Prince Edward Island Poland Because of the close proximity of the power plant to the cities, Wind Some receive checks for hosting turbines on their land; the rest dread the intrusion to their senses. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig. His review of only the acoustical aspects of this document indicates there are serious flaws with the MSU Extension documents content and call into question the documents validity on the whole.. A solar hot water heater, backyard wind turbine, and new windows and insulation will all help protect the lakes we love. Barbados The controversy continues a years worth of consternation over the wind farm project. Panama Portugal Maine Consumers Energy quietly enters the wind The recommendations in that version would allow for turbines and their towers to be located closer to property lines, where they might have a greater effect on neighbors. [3], On the other hand, the company makes two very strong All rights reserved. Water depth will be tricky in many areas due to current constraints on turbine placement in water over 50 meters. So what we need to do is: http://www.michiganglowcouncil.org/ http://www.scandiawind.com/AegirGrid.html, 602 W Ionia St, Lansing, MI 48933, United States, Created By STORYLICIOUS With NationBuilder. }. In Hillsdale Countys Wheatland Township, a wind turbinedevelopment that lookslike a done deal is facing backlashfrom residents who worry the project will destroy property values, add to noise pollution and affect local artesian wells. While some folks think the wind turbine trade-offs such as seeing the towering structures amid acres of farmland are minimal compared to the community and individual financial gain, others are not so sure. Vermont After that, about 10 jobs will be created to maintain the turbines. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimatesthat in 2019 there will be the highest amount of wind capacity added to the country's electricity grid since 2012 as developers look to qualify for the federal Production Tax Credit. Most Oceania "But what we are all concerned is that this company wants to build 600-foot industrial turbines 1,200 feet from our homes. The project includes building 68 wind turbines across four townships. Email investigative reporter Nicole Hayden with your questions atnhayden@gannett.comor tweet her @nicoleandpig. Mountaintop removal is ugly. Manitoba SOURCES The proliferation of wind projects has faced backlashes elsewhere in the state. When the board refused, residents gathered enough signatures to recall three of its five members. Federal incentives include the Production Tax Credit as well as the Investment Tax Credit. Demand our elected officials require more investments by our utilities in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The wind developer also has promised to repair any roads it uses while constructing wind turbines, Stone said. However, Mason said that the Thumb area is a migratory path for many birds, including golden eagles, which not many know about. using them based upon the amount of time it would take for each and any Lakes Eyed for Offshore Wind Farms. Studies in Europe demonstrate that proper location is important and that most species are extremely adaptive to the construction and operation of the wind farms. Oregon On April 20, Schindler sent an email to his MSU colleagues; he said he was surprised that the document was being questioned by wind industry interests. California Are there places where Michigan should consider not allowing offshore turbines? Amid continued controversy and delayed application reviews, the 499-foot turbines have yet to sprout. As to the structures themselves, the state can protect itself from other risks by requiring the developer to purchase bonds to ensure structures are maintained and properly removed after their useful life. A wind-energy project in anUpper Peninsula community announced that its decided to stop development of a project in April in the face of delays and opposition. Question: How many acres will the turbines take up? We do have landowners who have signed onto the project and sufficient land to be able to build this project, Bryan Garner, manager of communications for Florida-based NextEra, told MLive. Wind knocks out power to 30,000 across Michigan as crews scramble to make repairs. Tillman said the property setbacks are in place to protect people and homes from being injured or damaged. Because of the than before, but there will still be large regions from which the wind A boom in wind energy is sparking controversy in Huron County, at the tip of Michigan's thumb. The There's no question about that," said Transeth, founder and principle partner ofTranseth and Associates, whichprovideslegal and consulting services in energy and utility law. Oceana Counties, Michigan, Scandia Wind Offshore LLC, 2 Mar 10. "Our community right now is very divided," saidWheatland Township Supervisor Dave Stone. Jamaica In May, voters in Florida She said she had a home listed for sale recently in Deckerville because the home owners wanted to move away from the turbines. Will it be an eyesore left to fall apart? The people who are not participating landowners and not compensated should have some aspect of government listening to them. Actually I expected to hear from the anti-wind energy folks, Schindler said in the email. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize the impact the turbines would have on wildlife. "If (the township government)would have done the vote correctly in the first place, we wouldn't have had a leg to stand on.". We want to let you know that we have decided to start releasing wind easements and participation agreements in your community effective August 1, 2020 and that you will be receiving a more formal letter regarding terminations in the coming weeks. Answer: Wind turbines are cheaper to make, said Baldwin, and take minimal staff to maintain. © Fedja Kadribasic. Massachusetts They want the wind farm because the jobs it will provide will help their Roger Knight, 66, of Bridgehampton Townshipis one of those individuals not yet convinced. Tillman said several years ago the Michigan State Tax Commission provided updated guidance for the taxable value of wind projects. Since then, the price of gas has increased substantially, from an average of $2.95 per gallon in April 2021 to $4.55 in May 2022 the month the new survey was conducted. Members of the Juniata Township Michigan Wind Farm (Michigan Wind II Farm) will be equipped with Vestas Wind Systems V100-1.8 MW turbines. Offshore wind has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts from power production, create jobs that put our manufacturing base back to work and keep more of our money in Michigan rather than buying coal from others. In Hillsdale County, an anti-wind development group plannedto sue Wheatland Townshipover the planned 60-turbine project inWheatland and neighboring Adams and Moscow townships, but realized it didn't have enough money to move forward with the suit. Some wind farm developers have sued communities, contending that their zoning ordinance is too restrictive. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. "I never signed up for this. [2] One is that the Egypt The Michigan Wind 3 turbines are expected to have a more than 30-year lifespan. One local government official suspects that the original study was pulled down due to industry pressure. The problem itself, in fact, is far too complex to evaluate completely in the scope of this paper. | arguments for the construction of the wind farm. If the plan is successful, the turbines could be implemented in 2024. Court Orders Utility To Address Wind Turbine Noise Problems Transportation electrification is gettinga major boost from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as variousfederal, state and local policies. Pollard argues that the decision-making process in Wheatland Township has been tainted and that thesituation is "big money talkin'. We will have to do roadwork, primarily because of noise pollution and decreased real estate value of Now a Florida based company has announced it is ready to build a new wind park in Bay and Tuscola counties, which will include up to 66 turbines. WebThe impacts of wind turbines on some species of birds and bats may contribute, along with other stressors, to population-level declines, according to the report. Is a new wind energy development right for your community? Hawaii How can Michiganders have input into offshore wind development in general and specific projects in particular? On June 4, resident Daniel Kosheba filed recall petitions against Powell, Brock and Winnell. Several factors have weighted into our decision-making. Lake Michigan wind farm plan generates angst, highlights work of