Additional interest in wind energy should also be generated when Michigan adopts a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which would create target percentages of renewable energy for Michigan to begin producing from renewable resources such as wind and hydroelectric – versus coal which is currently our primary source of electricity in Michigan. Currently, Michigan does not have such a standard, but Governor Granholm announced at September’s Wind Energy Systems Conference that the state would have such a standard in-place by the end of the year. Such a standard would encourage the development of renewable energy resources in order to meet Michigan’s RPS goals.

Communities will see an increasing interest in wind energy resources in the future – some are already talking with wind energy companies and private individuals interested in tapping into this resource. There are many points that will arise wherever developers consider installing wind turbines. Some are considered positive, some are considered negative, and some are placed in both categories by different groups of people or organizations.

Those advocating for the placement of towers generally tout that wind energy is a clean and limitless energy source that assists in energy independence. Other benefits include boosts to the area’s economy through increased property values, lease payments to landowners and the ability to assist in farmland preservation, construction employment, and maintenance employment.

Those opposed to the placement of towers generally express concerns related to bird and bat kills, the impact to the area’s view shed, noise, safety, and other impacts to nearby property owners.

Other points that must be addressed include the need to be located near a power grid that has the capacity to receive and distribute the energy, the need for adequate roads to accommodate the many large trucks and cranes required for each tower, emergency planning, and the need for planning and zoning to regulate the placement of towers. Ordinances regulating wind energy facilities will need to be developed that address a range of topics such as which zones turbines will be allowed, site plan requirements, avian impact studies, lease agreements, insurance coverage, safety issues, maintenance, color, lighting, setbacks, noise and vibration, and decommissioning are just a sample of points to consider regulating.

Will wind turbines be built in West Michigan communities anytime soon? Due to the cost of constructing the wind turbines, companies are very careful to find locations that will provide a good source of wind. While there are some very general studies available that provide an idea of the wind quality across Michigan, studies specific to potential projects are performed to insure the long-term success of a wind farm. Meteorological (MET) towers must be constructed to evaluate the quality of the wind for a period of time (probably at least a year) and the topography and character of the landscape is carefully considered. Additionally, most towers and parts are manufactured in Europe and there is a considerable backlog of orders for the towers (several years).

The West Michigan Regional Planning Commission is trying to keep up-to-date on this new (to our area) and exciting topic. While the WMRPC does not perform zoning ordinances and performs limited master plans across the seven-county area, staff will try to stay current on this topic and relay information to our members as it becomes available. It is never too early to begin considering how your community would like to address this topic. There is a lot of information available and model ordinances are beginning to surface – so stay up-to-date and begin thinking about how to best incorporate renewable wind energy into your community’s future.