Michigan offshore wind projects stall

Residents resist development in Great Lakes waters

The Detroit News

Jim Lynch

11/12/2011

For five generations, Darryl Fowler's family has worked 800 acres of Bethany Township land, coaxing corn and soybeans out of the ground.

Soon, something new — and far larger — will be sprouting up along the farm's property line.

The township and nearby communities have welcomed Chicago-based Invenergy Wind LLC and its plans to create Michigan's largest wind farm.

Once completed, it will feature 133 turbines and produce 212 megawatts of electricity — enough for 50,000 homes.

The Michigan push coupled with similar efforts in neighboring Ontario are part of a plan to move from fossil fuels toward renewable energy.

But offshore wind development has been an entirely different issue. Concerns over aesthetics, impacts on local economies, property values and wildlife have served to put offshore efforts in limbo.

Neither Michigan nor Ontario has been able to move forward with offshore projects due to opposition from residents in the areas targeted for wind farms in the Great Lakes. For the power companies, it's a missed opportunity.   more....

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