Wind Power - Battle Ensues in Michigan - Untapped Potential!!!

"Taking the wind out of energy sales" jumped out at me on the Sunday June 10, 2007 from the front page of the Grand Rapids Press. Lengthy article but worth the read.

We all know that Chicago is referred to as the "Windy City". Chicago lays on the East Side of Illinois on Lake Michigan. The winds that blow through Chicago go across Lake Michigan (usually) and end up on the Western Coast of Michigan. It is on the West Coast of Michigan you will find Oceana County.

Have you ever seen the mitten trick? I think you have if you have ever asked someone in Michigan where they live!

Those of us who live in Michigan have been born and raised with it! It is our quaint way of showing you where we live! Interactive Blog!!! Put your left hand in front of you, palm facing away, fingers together and thumb out to the side. That is Michigan, the Mitten State. If you point to the spot just below your pinky, that is approximately where you will find Oceana County. Lake Michigan would be the great space on the left side!!!

Evidently, there have been several wind turbines in the planning stages in Oceana County. The farmers have leases with a developer, but now some residents and the local planning officials are fighting it.

Michigan ranks 14^th in the nation for wind. Estimates are that Michigan could produce 7,460 megawatts of power from wind. What does this translate to? A megawatt is estimated to power 250 - 300 homes. Let's take the lower number for sake of example, 250 homes x 7460 megawatts - unreal! Michigan wind harnessed could power 1,865,000 homes - almost two million homes!!!

courtesy of :shutterstock.com

Think about the effects! Reduction in coal burning, reduction in greenhouse emissions.... JOBS!!!

Back in the early 80's my husband owned a restaurant. We had construction crews in a couple of times a day who were erecting towers for "phones" - Wow! What a concept back then when cell phones were unheard of. Who knew that 20 years later cell phones would be on every person's hip. We thought they were nuts back then! How wrong we were.

Are we facing the same battle again with wind turbines????

This article stresses the importance of education to me. We need to get the education out there FIRST before we try to blast the changes through, thinking people are not listening and watching.

Those who are fighting the implementation talk about a spoiled view and unreliability of the wind. Of course, no one wants to "see" a wind turbine in their backyard. On the flip side, it is estimated $50 million dollars pumped into Oceana County's coffers through leases, property taxes and local jobs. Would these same people appreciate the influx of dollars, influx of entreprenuers to the state who are basing decisions on Alternative Energy availability??? We need to learn to educate people before we are embroiled in battle. Thanks to AR and other similar communities who are on that quest.

Wind Turbines are not just for revenue for the farmer and the utility company. It is a way of sustaining our environment, most importantly, utilizing that which our creator gave us in a positive way. Additionally, these projects will create jobs, may I add Michigan sorely needs jobs? Ideas like these will make a better life for all.

To me this sounds like a big political game...I want it, you don't...he who has the most pull wins....

What has been the experience of people in other states overcoming these objections??? Input would be greatly appreciated.