Duke Halts Installation of Wind Refineries in Manistee County

[XLFD]

"The "timing" for the project "may not align with the anticipated need for renewable power in Michigan's wholesale electricity market." --Duke Energy

 

The Duke Rides Off Into the Sunset

 

Congratulations to the Arcadia Wind Study Group, along with their representative that often comes here, Robert, and their patriotic stand against a despotic organization looking to destroy the aesthetic look of that area for the 'green dream' of wind energy.  Don't get me wrong; I like the idea of renewable energy and the ability to not further deplete our limited resources in fossil fuels.  But in my opinion, it is not time for wind energy just yet, the amount of public subsidization to put these in, the lack of wind refineries being able to adequately replace the need for energy plants using fossil fuel backup, the restrictive start up cost coupled with its productivity over their limited life, and the host of safety and health problems make this a poor choice to invest 'energy' money in if we in the US want to be competitive. 

 

Particularly, when it becomes a state mandated cause and is given 'inorganic' timelines for getting on-line.  An article in yesterday's Ludington Daily News' My Turn column (the best feature in the LDN, by far) on the editorial page has a letter from one of Mason County's upstanding citizens, Colleen Plummer, telling about the inequities the various citizens of our county that have tried to get the Lake Winds Energy Refinery from putting in wind turbines with safe setbacks and according to the dictums of fairness and safety.  Something we should expect from our County Government.

 

There is a spectre of impropriety in the whole chain of events here in Mason County that has now reached the point where a grass-roots effort called CARRE is fighting the County and Consumer's Energy in court, while Consumers' constructors diligently put in their foundations and service roads.  I don't live in Riverton or Summit Townships, but I have witnessed enough over the last year to suggest that public and private partnerships engaged in some below the table actions in order to get this through. 

 

As one who believes firmly in open government and in fairness, such methods are not in the public interest, and I fear the County and Consumers' are going to win the contest in Mason County by the process of delay and conquer.  And, of course, they will use the services of the Ludington City Attorney and the rest of the Manistee law firm of Gockerman, Wilson, Saylor, and Hesslin to do so.  Continue the good fight, all you CARRE members, and hopefully your ranks can swell as more information comes out.

[Willy]

I am glad to hear this. I spend a lot of time in Riverton and Summit townships taking photographs. It is a beautiful area with rolling hills and orchards. A real jewel in Mason County which will forever be scarred. Funny how this so called "green movement" which was  considered a gentle and good movement, until now, has steamrolled over peoples rights and their way of life without so much as look back. The "green movement" is giving green a bad name. I agree with CARRE and the work they are doing. 

[AQUAMAN]

I don't know, and of course the LDN didn't say, whom exactly, if anyone, was trying to block the Manistee project. It sounded like it was their own decision, with 3 major projects being built in other states now. Dukes statement that "the timing isn't right" sure sounds shifty to me. You don't plan a large outlay of funds for a huge project if they didn't do their homework in advance. Either way, the CARRE members here in Mason County are doing the right thing. Why take chances for explosions with gas lines/leaks nearby? I would think that the County Attorney, Sniegowski? may be handling this court case, anyone else hear yet?

[Robert]

Willy, Aqua...

A hard fought, very expensive battle. A very complex topic but I commend The Arcadia Wind Study Group for conducting themselves in a very professional manor where others turn their fight into a pissing match. I have never been a very political person but the County (Manistee/Benzie) politics has been a real eye opener. Much like Mason County our elected officials ignored the majority and just charged on with personal interests, right down to Manistee County Road Commission instructed employees to snatch signs. Counties lied to about the proposed tax windfalls right to the very end when tax/deprecations schedule changes have been in the wind for some time. Think Mason County just learned "the big promise" is going to fall short by 8 million and the Michigan PPT changes in the near future.

Hard to know every aspect of this issue as an individual but like ethanol I predict the wind subsidies are drying up.

Duke Energy is the largest energy provider in the US and knew they had a fight on their hands. Something about the end of 2012 and the rush to get these projects in place. Feel for your people down there and the thirty tear experiment your elected officials have entered into when the facts exist today "WIND IS A FARCE" and the only benefactors are big wind.   

[XLFD]

I do think the explicit reason that Duke claimed for halting the project, that they could not find a buyer of their energy, was not the full story, but it does point out that stopping the Mason County wind juggernaut is nigh impossible, since they have themselves for one to sell the energy to, and gain the ability to improve the Pump Storage Project facility with assistance from the subsidization.  Which I doubt they could qualify for otherwise.

[Robert]

I don't know XL, I honestly don't these days. Politics controls everything and anyone can run a TV add with enough money. No facts, just an agenda with money. The pipeline, wind, the bridge to Canada, proposed fuel mileage, I could write a book. Emergency Management a big topic in Michigan. The liberals whine, whine, with no solution and the only other alternative I can see, is let um fold.

Duke? Just more BS. Our group is about 300 strong and I would guess hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on the cause. Just not the right place or a viable energy source. I thing Willie posted some Mason County pictures that made me wonder. Pictured it being flat like downstate but not so and much like my area. I pity all those people that chose country living, worked hard for what they have and many properties will be un-sellable not to mention the quality of life.      

[Willy]

I took the following photos at the top of the hills near where the towers are being installed

[Robert]

What a shame....but these farmers will probably benefit. No problem with that but what about a view from home? 

[Robert]

To our friends, neighbors, and supporters in Arcadia and Benzie and Manistee Counties –
 
This is a watershed moment for our community, surrounding townships, the Arcadia Wind Study Group and like-minded organizations in the region. Together, we endeavored to understand the various impacts of industrial wind and communicate that understanding to our community. Our community clearly understood the implications of industrial wind and stood united in opposition of the wind industrialization of our area.
 
What happened last week was a small victory on a long journey forward. This achievement and all that led up to it would never have been possible without the individual actions of so many members of our community who educated themselves, spread the word to their fellow citizens, and supported our work in so many ways – intellectually, personally, morally, and financially.
 
The notion of industrial wind power begins from an undeserved position of presumed innocence and acceptance. Against this backdrop, we presented the facts as we discovered them. We sought input from those living under the direct and constant influence of established wind turbines. We invited a family, literally surrounded by turbines, to tell their experience to our communities. We collected and analyzed hundreds of documents, studies, and scientific reports which delineated the impact of industrial wind turbines on human health, property values, wildlife, tourism and viewscapes, to mention just a few. These results often contradicted commonly held beliefs about wind energy’s benefits. The clear conclusion emerged that wind energy was not appropriate to our community and, at the industrial level, may not deliver the environmental benefits attributed to it.
 
As our community became increasingly educated about industrial wind energy, it supported our efforts to forestall the placement of industrial wind turbines in our area. Duke Energy’s decision to abandon the Gail Windpower Project is a recognition our community’s consolidated opposition to the proposed wind industrialization of our community. Duke Energy realized that this would be a long, divisive, and difficult battle where the outcome was anything but certain.

While Duke Energy seems to be leaving there remains much work to be done. It is important that the work to construct strong and comprehensive zoning ordinances regulating land use and industrial windpower be closely followed and monitored. This process entails a lengthy review and update of Arcadia’s master plan followed by the incorporation of those updates into a new township zoning ordinance. The AWSG will be following and supporting similar reviews of master plans and the writing of appropriate zoning ordinances in neighboring townships throughout Benzie, Manistee, and Leelanau counties, not just in the four townships where Duke’s project was proposed. This will be done in conjunction with our supporters and like-minded citizens throughout the region.
 
Additionally, there remains the question of the disposition of at least 150 wind leases covering some 13,000 acres that Duke Energy continues to hold. Will these be sold to a third party or will they be allowed to lapse? Will future industrial wind companies try to succeed where Duke Energy, the nation’s largest publicly traded utility, failed. It is important that we remain vigilant as we move forward. We believe strongly in moving as soon as possible towards writing an enacting protective zoning ordinances in Arcadia and neighboring townships. The Arcadia Wind Study Group will continue to monitor all industrial wind activity in our community, collect information about the disposition of existing leases, and participate in the review of the master plan and changes to the zoning ordinance. We will remain a source of information for our community and hope you will continue to support our efforts.
 
We have a special request for those who have demonstrated support for our cause through yard signs. The Save Arcadia, Save Benzie, and Save Bear Lake signs have played a vital part in demonstrating the overwhelming public support for the notion that industrial wind turbines in our community are not supported. As Duke tries to transfer its leases to another industrial wind company, and as other companies consider trying to pick up where Duke failed, the message that these signs sends is even more important than ever. We ask you to continue to display
them proudly and prominently.
 
Thank you again for all you do.
 
The Arcadia Wind Study Group

[XLFD]

Robert, you and the AWSG have the right idea, remain vigilant, or else somethings going to come through the back door in the future.  Does Manistee County have wind turbines zoning regulation in place?  Before you rest on your laurels and lose the energy of the movement, I would suggest mounting a grassroots effort to strengthen the safe distance of setbacks, make any planned wind projects come in with full transparency, and other rules that would encourage informed input from the whole community.