SS Badger

[Robert]

A question for my Torch friends please. Still sorting through rumors but rumor has it, wind turbine parts have been spotted on the Badger. Another rumor, soon to be clarified is construction is actually underway somewhere in Mason County. I have been assigned a photo journalistic task and wonder if anyone has seen anything? Thanks in advance.

[XLFD]

Haven't heard anything to confirm or deny this rumor, but I'll keep my ears and eyes open for you, Robert.

[Robert]

Thank you.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

According to this release from Vesta, the first part of the turbine delivery for our side of the state will not happen until 2012.  They are building capacity in other parts of MI, so it would be understandable to see windmill parts based out of Colorado to come across on our car ferry for sure to be shipped across to the thumb.

One other thing to be looked for is the fact these turbines will need power transmission lines, which do not go through the public land use process, as they are covered under imminent domain rules for increasing power capacity. living here in PA I can tell you these seem to go in several months before the actual tower building process starts.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

Vestas V90

1.8 MW

45 m (148 ft)

80 m (262 ft)

125 m (410 ft)

6,362 m2 (1.57 acres)

8.8-14.9

157 mph

11 m/s (25 mph)   the 410 ft speaks to the tower height for the 80 meter turbines ordered for Ludingtons project oops I listed the V90 we are getting the V100 model here. add 17 more feet per this web site. http://www.aweo.org/windmodels.html

[Willy]

Wind turbine parts have been coming across on the Badger for a number of years now. Those parts have been for turbines in other parts of the state.

As far as construction goes, the access roads and sites are being surveyed and constucted as we speak. I went to the tower on Morton Rd. the other day to take pictures of what Mason county looks like before these monsters are installed. Across the street was a survey stake with the tower number on it. When I get a chance I will post the photos.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

Thanks Willie,

     I figured they would get around to site leveling and such soon. But I thought we would see electrical tie in towers before the actual wind turbine towers. What was the ( setback ) mason county zoning came up with, for those things anyhow?

I do notice in these parts of PA the transmission lines are almost more noticeable than the wind turbines themselves to me anyhow.

[Robert]

Willie,

When you refer to a "tower" on Morton Road, would that be a meteorological test tower? A bit confused when some say construction (site leveling) will begin soon and public hearings are still being scheduled. While information is scarce, it appears Mason County and Consumers will do what they darn well please, screw the residents. 1,000 ft. setback? Good luck with that and property values if one is lucky enough to have one of these beauties in their back yard.

[Eye On Ludington]

What residents are screwd?  A lot of residents are in favor of these towers and a lot of others are undecided because they want assurance the towers are safe.

[Robert]

Lots of residents? You mean potential lease holders don't you?

[Willy]

I went to the meeting 6-28 and the speakers who stood up againts the towers out numbered those in favor by at least 10 to 1. And of course those that were in favor are part of the "loop" because they are the property owners who will be getting finacial benefits from CE.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

I would guess some lease holders, and some environmentalists, did like the idea of the wind farm. Any actual public survey I have seen came down 60/40 against. So unless you can show me an actual survey of the general mason county residents showing overwhelming support proving some figure like even, "alot". Your welcome to your opinion no matter how wrong it may be of coarse.

[Robert]

Benzie County Conservation District Poll: 76/24 Odd, the end results have been removed from the sight.