Mon 6 Jul, 2009
Blowin’ in the Wind - Alternative Energy In Michigan - UPDATED
Filed under: Economic Development, General, Planning, RuralTags: Geo-thermal, Preemption, Public Speaking, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind Turbine
Contact Building Place today to arrange for Mr. Nanney to speak to your group on this or other planning and economic development topics.
“What’s all the fuss about alternative energy production these days?”
That’s a question heard far less often now that we have experienced gasoline prices above $4 per gallon (and creeping up again), and huge increases in home heating and electricity costs this past winter.
Alternative and renewable energy facilities are “in” these days, especially in the halls of state government in Lansing. Governor Granholm has put the spotlight on new, Michigan-based wind turbine and solar energy manufacturing plants, and the state and federal governments are pushing for more “green” energy production through incentives and mandates.
Today’s renewable energy technology is a vast improvement over 1970s Do-It-Yourself passive solar installations and high-maintenance windmills. Most importantly, the cost of solar cells, wind turbines, and geo-thermal heating/cooling systems have come down significantly as technology improves and production increases.
PLANNING FOR OUR ENERGY FUTURE:
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholn recently signed into law the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act (see below after the break for more information), which is intended to make Michigan a far more attractive place for investments into alternative and renewable energy projects and manufacturing operations. Coupled with the state’s economic development efforts to move beyond an automobile manufacturing economic base, it is important for local communities to “plan for our energy future.”
Here are five things local communities can do to be ready for an alternative and renewable energy future in Michigan:
- We recommend that local communities keep their energy future in mind as part of any long-range planning project. Plan for the potential of a more decentralized energy production system, with solar cells and wind turbines on private homes, ethanol production facilities in agricultural areas, and supplemental, on-site power generation systems for office and industrial development.
- Look for opportunities to build in geo-thermal heating/cooling, good solar orientation, and other energy efficient options as part of your capital improvements program for new or renovated public buildings.
- Consider renewable energy production as a local economic development tool for rural communities. “Farming the wind” and limited ethanol production as part of a farm operation could strengthen your local agricultural economy by diversifying farming income sources.
- Consider updating zoning and land use ordinances to allow for renewable energy facilities like wind turbines and solar energy systems, subject to reasonable standards. This could also include adding development incentives and site design standards to encourage more “green” site design as part of new development.
- Look for opportunities to educate your neighbors about renewable energy options, including bringing in experts to speak about alternative and renewable energy technology, and options for homeowners and businesses to become more energy independent. There are experts in the field who would love to come and speak before your civic group or board.
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE?:
Click here for one vision of what a renewable energy-centered community might look like twenty years from now.
RUNNING AFOUL OF LOCAL ZONING:
Click here for an excellent article on the challenges of making solar energy improvements without running afoul of local zoning ordinances and real estate law.
NEW MICHIGAN LAWS:
An Update on Legislative Action to Promote Renewable Energy Production in Michigan:
The state legislature recently approved Public Act 295 of 2008 (see inset), which created a new recommending body, the “Wind Energy Resource Zone Board” (WERZB).
The purpose of this Board is to study wind energy production and viability of wind for commercial energy generation, and report on availability of land for wind energy systems and regions in the State with the highest level of wind energy harvest potential.
The intended outcome of this Act is the creation of a number of “Wind Energy Resource Zones” covering areas of the state with high wind potential, and the potential pre-emption of local zoning regulations to promote the development of more commercial wind farms.
This is important to note, because the state legislature has failed several times before to pass commercial wind farm bills that would have superceded local zoning and land use laws. Perhaps hoping to be more successful this time, the legislature has put this politically difficult task in the hands of boards appointed by the Governor.
The WERZB prepared an initial report in June, which identified four Michigan regions with the highest wind energy potential [click here to view the full report in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format].
The following summary of the Board’s report and next steps is provided courtesy of William K. Fahey, author of the Township Law E-Letter and attorney with Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes, PLC.:
The Board’s report includes the following preliminary findings:
- A list of regions in the state with the highest level of wind energy harvest potential. The four regions identified in today’s report are all in the Lower Peninsula (one in the Thumb and three along the western side of the state):
Region 1 includes parts of Allegan County;
Region 2 includes parts of Antrim and Charlevoix counties;
Region 3 includes parts of Benzie, Leelanau, and Manistee counties; and
Region 4 includes parts of Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay and Saginaw counties.
- A description of the estimated maximum and minimum wind generating capacity in megawatts that can be installed in each identified region.
Map of Michigan's estimated wind potential
- An estimate of the annual maximum and minimum energy production potential for each identified region.
- An estimate of the maximum wind generation capacity already in service in each identified region.
No later than 45 days after the last public hearing, the board is required to issue its final report. At that point, transmission companies and electric utilities will identify for planning purposes the electric transmission facilities needed to deliver the estimated minimum and maximum wind energy potential from each of these regions.
The Michigan Public Service Commission will then consider the findings in the board’s final report and other information before designating one or more areas as a “wind energy resource zone.”
How can local governments and individuals have input on this process?
Local units of government in the affected areas have until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, to submit their comments on the proposed report. You may use the following website to submit your comments: https://janus.pscinc.com/windenergyresourcezone/
After the end of the comment period for local governments the board will hold two public hearings. The first will take place at:
11 a.m. on Monday, August 24, at the Huron County Expo Center, located at 170 West Soper Rd., in Bad Axe.
The second public hearing will take place at:
11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, in the auditorium in the administrative and conference building of West Shore Community College, located at 3000 N. Stiles Rd., in Scottville.
power kites guy says:
Hey very good information. Will come back again - Thanks.
detoxy says:
Alternative Energy is the way to go. dont we just hate those air polluting non-renewable fossil fuels.
windmill energy says:
Nicely put I agree for the most part.
american wind energy association says:
Wow really good stuff, thanks for the good read.
Usable Alternative Energy Systems says:
thanks !! very helpful post!
Macnet says:
We should concentrate more on Alternative Energy sources like hydrogen and solar because fossil fuels are already depleted and they are polluting the environment.