Environment

Michigan wind farms meeting goals, but disturbing neighbors

By |

By CAITLIN McARTHUR
Capital News Service
LANSING – Michigan is on pace to meet its renewable energy targets, largely thanks to wind power, but issues of transparency and turbine placement have some asking whether the shift toward wind is a smart one. The Great Lakes State is well on its way to drawing 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources by the end of the year, as required by a 2008 law. Public Service Commission (PSC) Communications Specialist Judy Palnau said that achievement is thanks to a huge effort from utilities, with wind farms and turbines going up across the state. To date, Michigan has 18 operational wind farms with another two in development, according to the PSC. The primary location for wind energy in the state is Huron County because of its wind capacity.

Environment

Counties with wind farms overwhelmingly opposed renewable energy plan

By |

By ZACHARY PEÑA
Capital News Service
LANSING — Environmental groups are preparing their next move after voters overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment to require 25 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources. Statewide, more than 62 percent opposed the renewable energy plan, based on unofficial returns collected by the Secretary of State. The only county where it passed was Washtenaw, where nearly 52 percent voted yes. Three of the four counties with the greatest percentage of voters rejecting the proposals have wind farms: Missaukee (79 percent), Huron (77.5 percent) and Osceola (74 percent). John Sarver, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, gave two theories for the Election Day failure.