FRIENDS OF THE HURON MOUNTAINS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Group Reacts to Wind Farm Cancellation
Urges Voter Turnout for Zoning Referendum
Press Release RES Withdrawal April 2019

L’Anse, Michigan, April 19, 2019
The Friends of the Huron Mountains, a group formed to protect the interests of its members in the Huron Mountains and Michigamme Highlands area, welcomes today’s news that Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. will not proceed with the Summit Lake Wind Farm project on Weyerhaeuser Co. land in L’Anse Township. FOHM opposed the project for many reasons – questionable economic benefits, environmental damage, tribal rights and more – and forced a referendum on permissive zoning changes that the township board adopted last year.

The vote, by township residents residing outside the village limits, will be held on May 7 as scheduled. FOHM wishes to remind voters that the referendum is not about Summit Lake – it’s about rejecting zoning that could open the door to other developers by making all commercial forest land eligible for industrial wind development.

This issue has divided neighbors and even families in and around L’Anse. FOHM chairman Burt Mason said “A ‘No’ vote will allow us all to take a deep breath and get together to update the Master Plan to reflect what the people want. What the community may lose in short-term financial gain will be more than offset by the combination of community spirit and ability in our group, who now can turn their talents to making this a better place to live and visit.”

The Friends of the Huron Mountains is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to serve the common interests of visitors, residents, and friends of Baraga and Marquette counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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Press Release RES Withdrawal April 2019

RES Press Release

Links and coverage:
Wind farm shuttered: Facing May 7 referendum, process delays cited as reason- Daily Mining Gazette
The Friends of the Huron Mountains reaction to wind farm cancellation-upmatters.com 

Renewable Energy Company Drops Wind Turbine Project – keweenawreport.com
UP wind farm plan cancelled after pushback – Interlochen Public Radio
Devlopment stopped on L’Anse wind turbine project | upmatters.com
RES not going forward with Summit Lake Wind Project |miningjournal.net
RES cancels Summit Lake Wind Project | abc10up.com