Consumer's Energy Offers a Bribe

[XLFD]

I have stayed away from the ongoing land-based wind turbines debate in Mason County, up to now, because I have been conflicted about it.  I do believe people have the right to put up, or allow to be put up, a wind turbine on their property if they so wish.  As such a structure may influence a variety of factors to their neighbors (sound, flicker, safety, property values, etc.), I believe there should be protections in the zoning policies to make sure these are taken into account.  These should reflect the past and current concerns of these neighbors, and do so in a manner that doesn't cramp the rights of those who would have turbines on their property.

 

The existing zoning policy for wind turbines was constructed a few years back when the imminent placement of these structures were not fully anticipated by the public at large.  The setbacks for property lines were only 1.5 times the height of the structure, which would be about 750 ft. for these 500 ft. high turbines.  A citizen named Wally Carrier made a very valid point at a recent meeting (and in the LDN) that workers who tended turbines of this height were, by company protocol, to wear hard hats at distances over 1000 ft from the turbines.  Some in the 'safe setbacks' crowd wish to make the setbacks over a mile, which would be a definite dealbreaker for such turbines.  Of course, Consumer's enjoys the prospect of the current rules, and are fighting to keep them that way.

 

On Tuesday, May 17, 2011 the Ludington Daily News published news of a "Good Neighbor Fund".  LDN Article 5-17-2011   This is $2 million used "to address possible qualifying issues" with the wind energy park.  "It will be up to community leaders to determine how best to use the fund."  They "hope the fund will help the company be a better neighbor.  Dan Bishop of Consumer's describes the fund as "another positive value-added-benefit to help leaders in the community move the process forward. 

 

Here's a Michigan law:  Bribery of Public Official 

Can we agree that this is nothing but subtle-yet-not-so-subtle bribery of our public officials into making a Consumer's Energy-friendly policy?   Commissioner Erickson sure likes this fund.

 

In the same article, we learn that the Mason County Rural Fire Authority has come out in favor of the wind turbines citing the reason of a "significant increase in Rural Fire District tax receipts." 

Apparently, public officials like more taxpayer money for themselves to use, just like Consumer's, who will have more than half the cost of this 'wind farm' subsidized by the taxpayers.  Who loses? 

[XLFD]

Robert (or anyone else),

Have you been to the Stoney Corners Wind Farm near McBain (south of Cadillac) which has 262-328 ft. tall wind turbines?  The setbacks are about 600 ft. there.  They have a picture and directions to it in today's Ludington Dairy News.  I'm going to try and check it out soon.

Maybe we could use some of that $2 million payoff to bus some of the neighbors and county officials up there to discuss this issue before we close the discussion.  They may have to speak up a little bit if they discuss it within the setback...

[Willy]

I think I'll take a drive over there myself. I'll try and take some photos. I don't think directions are needed. Just stand on a small hill and you'll probably be able to see them from Ludington.

[XLFD]

I look forward to seeing them, if I don't get there first. 

BTW, we had a spammer leave us a bunch of messages this morning, that's why the recent activity looks pretty clear.

[snide]

I have no problem with wind power, but not really fond of how it's being done.I couldn't care less if you want one of the behemoths in your back yard. Go for it and pocket the cash. Does it REALLY have to be in an area that affects other people or THEIR property values. Do they REALLY have to be 400 feet tall...? (I have a friend with one about 80 feet tall that cut his power bill by a third plus he sells back into the grid during peak times.It's not viewable from anyone elses house and is quiet).He put it up at his own expense---- why are they not ALL like that..?

 Finally, WHERE ARE THE TEA PARTY FOLKS ON THIS ISSUE.....? This project will be subsidized to the tune of tens of MILLIONS of dollars. Why no outrage there..? Check your power bill,for the last year Consumers gets $2.50 per month up front from every customer under a "green power" fee. For what...?

[Eve Alone]

Cigarette companies have to put health hazzard warnings on their packs, and tell you of all the possible bad things their product can do to you.  Why don't these wind turbine companies do so?  While government pushes the cost of tobacco up with taxes, it tries to prop large scale wind turbines up with subsidies.  Long term exposure of being too close to these turbines is well documented to be injurous to your health.  But they do not even want to consider easing the setbacks. 

 

Why can't our lawmakers write some laws making the enrgy companies come clean with the cost and health problems that come with them, instead of just signing checks with our money to the exploiters.

[Eye On Ludington]

The McBain area is near some of my old stomping grounds so I took a drive over that way yesterday and took about 200 pictures on my way back.  I attempted to post the pictures to your photo site a few times today but there is always an error in upload.

[XLFD]

Welcome to the Ludington Torch; sorry about the technical difficulties.  Maybe it's your photo format; the site supports .jpg, .gif, and .png , so make sure whether you have the proper format.  Perhaps you may be loading too many at a time, try doing just a few at a time if you haven't already.  I tried one .jpg, and it worked.

[Sweater Cows!]

I uploaded one photo but I did have to use the simple uploader which is linked to in the text under the main photo uploader . I rarely have any luck uploading multiple photo's on any site and most often have to use the 'simple uploader' that is usually provided.

[Sweater Cows!]

In the reply menu (box)for this thread,  Across the top is a few icons for things you can do. the one directly to the right of the one that says "link" is the one for photo uploading within your reply, to the right of that is the one for video, the fourth one over is to paste in text. To add an image make sure you know how to get to manually on your computer. Open it in your photo editing program and check to see if is one of the allowable formats. then come back to the thread and  click the little image icon, go to the picture on your computer, select it then click okay in the box where it says okay. Wait a while and it should load. It takes a bit of time on wifi.

 

Let me know if you tried the instructions so I can take the pic I added down.

[Robert]

Perspective...

http://photos.mlive.com/muskegonchronicle/2010/04/wind_turbine_farm...

Keep in mind these will line the bluffs/ridges around (Pleasant Valley) Arcadia.

[XLFD]

I would presume they are like our windfarmers and have the places they plan on putting the turbines staked out already.  Can you get some pictures of the areas that these turbines are going to dot, Robert?  From my knowledge, it is very scenic.  

If we consider a no-man's-land of 750 ft. around just one 500 ft. wind turbine (Mason County's current setback), that is over 40 acres that is shut out from human habitation and commerce, over 40 acres of a bad habitat for any animals, and over 40 acres of a seriously affected ecosystem.  Is it worth it when we have to back it up with fossil fuel anyway for peak periods and calm days?  If you want 'green' energy, is this really the best way to go?

[Robert]

http://arcadiawindstudygroup.org/2011/03/29/the-map/