Wind Power News: Michigan

A coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop the development of wind energy. Attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., are challenging an executive order Trump signed during his first day in office, pausing approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. They say Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and he’s jeopardizing development of a power source critical . . .

The Michigan House on Wednesday passed a repeal of a 2023 law that removed local control over large-scale solar and wind farm permitting and gave that authority to state utility regulators. The bill, which is likely to hit a brick wall of opposition in the Democratic-led Senate, passed along party lines, 58-48, in the Republican-led House. “When this legislation was passed in 2023, it took away the voice of our local elected officials and handed it over to three unelected . . .

Republicans in the Michigan House have proposed legislation which would change the zoning laws for clean energy projects. While [or rather, because —NWW] they argue it returns control to local municipalities, clean energy advocacy groups have come out against the changes. Newly-introduced House Bills 4027-28 amends previous legislation, which laid out a new statewide clean energy standard, requiring 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040. House Bill 4027 removes the requirement that zoning ordinances be subject to that . . .

Nearly 80 Michigan municipalities have challenged the legality of the state’s processing of permitting requests for large-scale solar and wind energy facilities – a controversial policy passed by Michigan Democratic lawmakers last year that diminishes local control. The legal appeal, filed Nov. 8 in the Michigan Court of Appeals, argues the Michigan Public Service Commission exceeded the powers granted it by the Legislature when it adopted an order Oct. 10 that governs the permitting process for solar arrays and wind turbine . . .

Two structures that have stood tall in Mackinaw City for more than two decades have been dismantled and sent to be recycled. During the month of May, the two, 230-foot, wind turbine generators just south of the Mackinac Bridge, were decommissioned, taken apart, and removed. Mackinaw City Manager Patrick Wyam says Crystal Flash did the work extraordinarily well. However, he says, the skyline will not be the same. “Without those landmarks in there, along with the bridge, it is a . . .

As the number of wind and solar farms increases, so does opposition in the rural areas where they’re being built. While more counties and townships passed restrictions in the last year, some states are responding by passing laws making it harder for local governments to say no to wind and solar. The land in Piatt County in central Illinois is flat, and it’s easy to see for miles around Jerry Edwards’ house in a rural area north of Mansfield. In . . .

Michigan’s 100% clean energy goal faces a potentially imperiling challenge from a petition that would repeal a new law giving state regulators the authority to decide where to locate large wind and solar projects. An initiative petition from a group called Citizens for Local Choice would undo a part of the new law preempting local policies that are more stringent than the state’s zoning requirements for constructing clean energy and storage facilities. Last week, Citizens for Local Choice cleared a . . .

A citizens initiative seeking to restore local control over large-scale wind and solar projects in Michigan can begin collecting signatures after gaining approvals Friday for a petition that would repeal a newly minted law transferring permitting authority to the state. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Friday voted to approve the 100-word summary and the form of the petition initiative, hurdles that needed to be cleared before the group could begin collecting signatures from voters. The ultimate summary approved . . .

Clean energy developers had planned a 75-turbine wind farm in mid-Michigan’s Montcalm County before local voters shot down the idea in 2022 and recalled seven local officials who had supported it. About 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast, Clara Ostrander in Monroe County found herself at the center of a similar conflict as rising medical costs forced her and her husband to consider selling land her family has owned for 150 years. Leasing a parcel to an incoming solar farm could . . .

At the start of the new year, Consumers Energy powered up 72 new wind turbines in Gratiot County near the Clinton County line. It’s Consumer’s fifth wind farm in Michigan, with more clean energy projects to come. A recently signed clean energy law gives state officials the ability to decide where these projects go. Many are upset with the law, and some have even formed a group to stop it with a ballot initiative. With Michigan’s new law mandating 100% . . .

In a significant policy change, Michigan townships have lost their ability to self-govern land use and development methods for solar and wind farms, following the implementation of a new law signed last month. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Clean Energy & Climate Action Package, which is intended to help fight against climate change but will also take away local control over wind and solar farms across the state. The new law will allow the state to have full . . .

The “Clean Energy Future Bill” aims to make Michigan use 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040 but many municipalities are against one part of the legislation. That part of the legislation, they said, will take away some of their authorities.* “We spent a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of money on our master plans to put together the communities that they want to live in, based upon the information that they told us what they . . .

The Michigan Legislature voted Wednesday to empower a state commission to preempt local governments’ decisions on whether to authorize solar and wind projects, moving bills to overhaul energy laws to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her likely signature. The Senate voted 20-18, along party lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans in opposition of legislation that would let the three-member Michigan Public Service Commission decide where large-scale solar parks and wind turbines are constructed. Currently, the authority rests with local . . .

State or local government: who has the right to approve solar and wind farms in Michigan? Well, that’s the question a house committee considered this morning. House Democrats introduced the Clean Energy and Jobs Act. It’s a package of bills they say would speed up the approval process for renewable energy. “These bills are aiming to move the decision-making of citing renewable generation projects up to the Michigan Public Service Commission,” said Justin Carpenter, Policy Director for the Michigan Energy . . .

With tensions rising as Michigan Senate Democrats hold closed-door negotiations over their plan to wean Michigan off fossil fuels, their counterparts in the House on Tuesday unveiled the latest piece of the party’s sweeping energy reform package. House Bills 5120-5123, filed Tuesday, would change the approval process for large wind and solar arrays, shifting authority from local government to the state Public Service Commission. Sponsor It’s a move designed to speed up permitting, preventing local resistance from stalling or blocking . . .

State Democratic leaders hope to muzzle the battles at local township boards that have often throttled Michigan’s green energy efforts by moving control of the siting of energy projects to the state’s Public Service Commission. House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, told Bridge Michigan Monday he plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to move control of utility-scale wind and solar projects to the PSC. Sponsor Currently, projects must be approved by individual township boards. Since the . . .

Toward the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, dozens of wind turbines dot the rural landscape – their blades catching the eye of passers-by as they slowly spin. The region has some of the highest power generation potential based on megawatt hours in the state, and over the last several years, the sight has grown more common above M-46 as a host of energy companies sweep in with large commercial developments. But turbines could make their way farther south in a matter of . . .

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners could consider passing a one-year-long moratorium on any large-scale solar or wind energy projects. The unanimous vote from the county’s planning commission comes as large-scale green energy plants clash with residents’ concerns over the future of their rural farmland. Thursday’s public hearing comes weeks after Clinton County’s Planning Commission first looked into a county ordinance on wind and solar that they called “outdated.” See More: Clinton County to draft moratorium on green power plants . . .

Wind energy activists believe they have found an explanation for the waning popularity of wind projects in Michigan and around the county: a cult of homeowners whose objection to turbines is, according to a new video clip, wholly irrational. ‘Like a Cult’, a documentary-style ten-minute video from environmental activist Peter Sinclair and Yale Climate Connections, attacks local residents and officials in Michigan who express concerns about wind energy projects in their townships. The video singles out Kevon Martis, Deerfield Township . . .

After reading Don Smucker’s analysis of Montcalm County’s green energy conflict in the Jan. 21 Daily News, I am also very concerned – but for a different reason. The wind ordinance issue will be resolved, but I am concerned some people in our society hold democracy in such contempt. Smucker boils down the problem quite nicely: “(Some people) simply do not want to look at any wind turbine … because they do not like how they look.” A simple summation based . . .

Monticello, Ill. – Depressed property values. Flickering shadows. Falling ice. One by one, a real estate appraiser rattled off what he said were the deleterious effects of wind farms as a crowd in an agricultural community in central Illinois hung on his every word. It was the tenth night of hearings by the Piatt County zoning board, as a tiny town debated the merits of a proposed industrial wind farm that would see dozens of enormous turbines rise from the nearby . . .

(WPBN/WGTU) – The wind turbine that supplies energy to the Northport Leelanau Township Water Treatment plant is looking a little different now. According to Northport Trustee, Will Harper, high wind speeds on Wednesday, Dec. 14, caused the turbine to spin out of control and eventually fall to the ground. Harper also said the turbine has been out of commission for a while, and he’s unsure if it will be fixed.

Leelanau Community Energy’s wind turbine in Northport sits in a heap at the base of its tower after the upper section broke off. It happened some time between sundown Thursday and sunup Friday, said Douglas McInnis, a manager and investor for Leelanau Community Energy. The company, which owns the turbine, had it offline while awaiting maintenance. Those maintenance items pertained to electronics, motors and other components involved in the turbine’s operation, McInnis said. None should have caused the tower to . . .

A debate between Consumers Energy and Tuscola County could result in essential bankruptcy for county school districts and Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District. Since wind farms were constructed in the county in 2016 there has been an ongoing dispute between Consumers Energy and the county on the tax applied to the farms. There are currently 114 turbines that are being valued lower than what was originally agreed upon prior to construction. These turbines produce 231 megawatts of power for the county. . . .

Tuscola County, MI – The sword of Damocles hanging over Unionville-Sebewing Area Schools has Consumers Energy written all over it. The rural district of about 680 students in Tuscola County is facing down a financial abyss thanks to the state’s largest energy provider, which is attempting to claw back nearly $1.2 million in disputed tax revenues levied on wind power turbines. Officials say the case threatens to wipe out district fund balances and toss them into deficit status with the state. . . .

Wind energy businesses are targeting local zoning ordinances after their campaign to coat Michigan with large vertical turbines lost four referenda and seven local government allies in this month’s election. “You ever hear that old saying about winning a battle, but losing the war? Now seems like an appropriate time to reflect on that,” Apex Clean Energy’s senior development manager Albert Jongewaard wrote in an email, after voters throughout Montcalm County rejected wind energy supporters and ballot initiatives. “It’s no . . .

Some Tuscola County school districts say they’re regretting their decision to enter into tax revenue agreements with Consumers Energy after the utility sought tax clawbacks related to wind turbine depreciation. Consumers Energy is suing more than a hundred schools, townships, and social service groups in Tuscola County, seeking about $8 million in tax clawbacks. More than a decade ago, the districts and other groups agreed to allow Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, and standalone wind energy companies like Next Energy to . . .

Trufant, MI – Rural voters delivered a crushing blow to plans for a 375 megawatt wind farm in mid-Michigan, where several local renewable energy ordinances were defeated across three townships and multiple officials were thrown from office for supporting the project. On Tuesday, Nov. 8, midterm voters resoundingly rejected ordinances enabling the Montcalm Wind project by Apex Clean Energy, a developer attempting to erect 75 turbines on farmland in Montcalm County northeast of Grand Rapids. Zoning ordinances in Maple Valley, Douglass . . .

John Black is the fifth generation of his family to farm the clay and sandy soil in Montcalm County’s Winfield Township, with the sixth and seventh generations working there now, too. He has 340 head of dairy cattle and 700 acres of hay, soybeans and corn, some planted along Black Road, named for his ancestors. But now, as the 58-year-old steers his Ford truck along a dirt road past massive potato fields, he barely recognizes his community. Township board meetings, . . .

Wind farms continue to pop up like mushrooms across Michigan’s landscape, and with them, plenty of backlash from energy, economic and environmental public policy experts. Michigan ranks 15th for total wind generation nationwide, according to a 2021 study released by Commodity.com, which was updated last May. The study reports wind provides 8% of the total electricity consumed by the nation’s homes, government entities and businesses, while contributing 7% to Michigan’s electricity grid. While proponents tout the environmental benefits of wind . . .

A Canadian-owned developer is continuing to work on bringing a wind turbine facility to Ionia County, a project which has been pending for well over a decade now. Leeward Renewable Energy confirmed with the Daily News that the company is still actively working on the project. “Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) is developing a wind facility in the Ionia County area, which will bring additional energy generation, construction jobs and other anticipated long-term economic benefits to the community,” Leeward said in . . .

Four more officials in two more townships are now facing recalls related to their votes on wind and solar energy ordinances. Cato Township Supervisor Larry Gilbert, Clerk Todd Lincoln and Trustee Jourdan Lindsay are all facing a recall attempt after they voted to approve their township’s proposed wind energy ordinance, while Belvidere Township Supervisor John Anderson is also facing a recall attempt for his votes regarding his township’s wind and solar ordinances. A recall clarity hearing for both matters is . . .

Chicago-based Invenergy has filed a lawsuit in Gratiot County Circuit Court on behalf of the Heartland Farms Wind Project claiming Fulton Township violated the state’s Open Meetings Act when it denied a special land use permit that would have allowed the company to build 12 wind turbines in the township. Five other townships that are part of the proposed 72-turbine wind farm – Newark, New Haven, North Shade, North Star and Washington – have all approved the project. On April . . .

Arrogant, uneducated and stubborn are what the majority of the Cato Township Board proved themselves to be when they took a wrecking ball to the carefully crafted safe wind ordinance their Planning Commission developed as a result of over 1 1/2 years of intense study and personal sacrifice. Not only was it a contemptible act of disrespect of their planning commission, but to the Cato citizenry as well, who supported the original PC ordinance by at least a 10-1 ratio at . . .

The topic stems from allegations that Karnatz operated in his capacity as Planning Commission chairman with a conflict of interest because he failed to disclose previous arrangements with Apex Clean Energy, including signing “steering committee” and lease agreement documents, dating back to November 2019, while subsequently leading the Planning Commission as it worked on amending the township’s wind energy ordinance. As a result of the lease agreement, Karnatz has received compensation from Apex, leading several residents to allege a conflict of interest as he was also working to amend ordinances that could potentially affect the very turbines that could eventually be constructed on Karnatz’s property.

DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP – The Douglass Township Board voted at a special meeting Monday evening to place two wind energy ordinances on the November general election ballot after voters gathered enough signatures to referendum both ordinances. “The reason we’re here tonight is basically so we can get these referendums on the ballot in November,” Supervisor Terry Anderson said during the 10-minute meeting, which didn’t feature any public comment. Clerk Ronda Snyder read the resolution aloud and the board then voted 4-0 to . . .

The Winfield Township Board during yet another tense meeting on Thursday voted to pay a special clerk to run November’s general election as the current clerk is facing a recall, and voted to place a wind energy ordinance referendum on the ballot at that same election, even as a police investigation of the township board and township documents continues. Supervisor Phyllis Larson read aloud an Aug. 8 letter to the township from Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard, stating in part, . . .

When neighbor is pitted against neighbor, friendships are destroyed and nobody wins. For the past two years, the Daily News has been reporting on the collapse of our townships over discussions involving wind turbines. The only winner in all of this seems to be Apex Clean Energy, the non-Michigan wind energy company that has sat back and watched as people who used to be friends and colleagues disrespect each other with their words and actions. It’s time for townships to . . .

Monday’s vote resulted in anger, frustration and disappointment from the majority of the at least 60 people present who were squeezed into the Lakeview Village Office across the street from the Lakeview Community Center where the Cato Township Board typically meets. The different location was a poor choice for Monday’s meeting, as the Village Council chamber room is cozy and resulted in a standing room only with some people forced to try to listen to the meeting from the hallway and lobby outside. Before the vote, four Planning Commission members — including Behrenwald who sits on the PC — begged the township board to approve the ordinance as written, as did the majority of residents present. Jeremy Kwekel of Cato Township asked for a show of hands from those who support Apex’s Montcalm Wind project. Only four of the more than 60 people present raised their hands.

Although Winfield Township’s solar ordinance is separate from the township’s pending — and hotly disputed — wind ordinance, one colors the other, especially in light of the controversy surrounding township officials who have signed personal property leases with Apex Clean Energy, the Virginia-based wind developer looking to bring a wind turbine project to multiple townships in Montcalm County.

WThe Michigan State Police Lakeview Post is investigating the Winfield Township Board concerning certain township documents. The Daily News confirmed the investigation with MSP Sixth District Public Information Officer Michelle Robinson. “I cannot comment on any details as it is an open and ongoing investigation,” Robinson said. The Winfield Township Board has been in turmoil for quite some time now, mostly fallout related to how township officials are handling the creation of wind energy and solar energy ordinances. Supervisor Phyllis . . .

The old wind turbine off of M-72 West in Leelanau County has been fully decommissioned and removed. Traverse City Light and Power bought the turbine for roughly $764,000 in 1996. In 2014, the company sold the aging turbine to Heritage Sustainable Energy for just $1,100. Since then, Heritage has been dealing with the same struggles TCLP faced when the company first handed it over. “Currently- it’s just now since 2014- the unit is that much older, just to the point . . .

After multiple residents voiced concerns with a controversial 2017 wind energy ordinance, the Douglass Township Planning Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to recommend that the township board repeal it. The township board will vote on the recommendation at next Wednesday’s meeting; however, a pending ordinance similar to the 2017 wind ordinance still remains to be dealt with. Even if the township board repeals the 2017 ordinance, the township board voted earlier this month to approve a principle wind energy ordinance, as . . .

As the dust begins to settle from the chaos resulting from Apex Clean Energy’s massive commercial wind turbine proposal for Montcalm County, a practical solution to zoning ordinance provisions for Montcalm Township has emerged. It is protective, popular, community-based, legally sound, reasonable and should satisfy almost everyone. The three townships in Montcalm County that adjoin Montcalm Township have all adopted wind ordinances. Sidney, Eureka and Pine townships have adopted ordinances that are protective of their residents and their rural lifestyle, . . .

DTE Energy has settled a long-running tax dispute with townships over wind farms. The settlement means DTE will drop its tax appeals over the correct formula for depreciating the taxable value of wind turbines, and townships won’t have to pay back millions of dollars in taxes to the utility. Carl Osentosky is Executive Director of the Huron County Economic Development Corporation. Huron County has the most wind turbines in Michigan, according to a recent count. He said it’s hoped that . . .

The Cato Township Board was expected to vote on a wind energy ordinance on Monday evening. The township’s Planning Commission voted on June 9 to recommend the draft ordinance to the township board, so board members have been in possession of the draft for more than a month now. Planning commissioners were present Monday to answer any questions, as was the attorney who had assisted them. However, the township board voted 4-1 to table the ordinance. The reason behind the . . .

The Douglass Township Board voted 5-0 to approve two wind energy ordinances Wednesday evening, even as three township board members are in the process of being recalled, a fourth is facing a challenger in the August primary election, and both new ordinances will almost certainly go to a referendum. The board voted to approve a principle wind energy ordinance, as well as a second version of the ordinance which includes a “savings clause” regarding the township’s 2017 wind ordinance which . . .

STANTON – The Montcalm County Election Commission at a nearly two-hour recall clarity hearing Wednesday afternoon ruled that recall language petitions against the Montcalm Township clerk and three Winfield Township Board members could begin circulating for signatures. Petitioners have until Aug. 5 to gather the required amount of signatures in order for the recalls to appear on November’s general election ballot in Montcalm and Winfield townships (see info box below for pending recall language). Wednesday’s recall hearing also shed light on . . .

Despite the Fulton Township Board vetoing a plan to construct wind turbines in the township, the Heartland Wind Project will move forward in southern Gratiot County. Chicago-based Invenergy, the developer of the proposed 72-turbine wind farm, has received approval from the five other townships that will be part of the project. The construction of wind turbines in New Haven, North Shade, Newark and North Star townships was approved earlier this year. The final OK was given by the Washington Township . . .

A long litigation process over the taxation of wind farms in Huron County has ended following an agreement announced by DTE Energy June 29. The agreement, which also includes other wind farms around the state, settled on a new tax table that will be followed that is different from what the county and DTE were originally considering. This agreement also ensures that there will be no more litigation on the taxation of the wind farms’ land for the next 15 . . .