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Huron County Commissioner Called for Wind Project Moratorium In Michigan’s Thumb Back in 2012

[Ed Note: This post is dated March 2012]

wind project moratorium

Michigan’s Huron County Commissioner John Nugent really knows how the wind blows in Huron County Michigan.  His recent announcement of his position in the Huron Daily Tribune was direct and to the point on a wind project moratorium. “I’m in the process of researching it, speaking with people, talking with attorneys. And when it’s appropriate, after the first of the year when we have a new board in place, I’ll bring forward a resolution … hopefully for a full moratorium.”

This stance, if fulfilled, would bring a grinding halt to the rapid progression of wind tribunes in Michigan’s Thumb; the fastest-growing wind district in the state.  The Huron Daily Tribune reports that  “Nugent is calling for a halt to wind turbine projects until the county’s wind ordinance can be updated. He said he doesn’t want it to harm responsible wind developers but is concerned about the health, safety, and welfare of residents — all of which he says are at risk if development continues.”

This is a huge flip-flop to the ongoing development of wind energy in Michigan Thumb. Currently, Huron, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties together have 14 wind farms operating or under construction, almost all erected in the last two years. An estimated 116 turbines are operating in the Upper Thumb region.

Michigan Thumb’s Arsenic Problem is One of the Worst in the Nation – Before you drink another drop of water from your well in the Upper Thumb read this report from Michigan Public Radio. Interactive maps show the Thumb region has the worst in the state for arsenic in well water.

Michigan Road Trip on M-25: Riding A Ribbon Around the Thumb – A favorite Michigan road trip for motorcyclists is the Michigan State Highway M-25. It’s a 147-mile scenic two-lane trunk line running from Port Huron to Bay City Michigan. Bikers like the drive as it offers many places to turn off for a rest, find a biker-friendly place to eat or take a bit of shelter during a storm.

COVID-19 : Despite Stay Home Stay Safe Orders, Folks are Still on the Move-In order to help local and state governments, Google has begun a reporting site called COVID-19 Community Mobility Report. These static reports aim to provide insights into what has changed in response to staying at home and other policies aimed at combating COVID-19. The reports chart movement trends over time by geography, across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential

DTE Energy on Wind Turbine Taxes – “Appeal Each One!” – That’s the statement made to the Huron Daily Tribune from Scott Simons, of DTE Energy Media Relations. DTE Energy has filed more than 60 appeals for wind turbines in the Michigan Thumb Wind parks in Huron Gratiot and Sanilac counties. Exelon Wind has filed 74 tax appeals.

The Pier Based Coast Guard Station at Harbor Beach – the original Coast Guard Harbor Beach was a pier station built on the Jenk’s company dock in 1910 and incorporated a 50-foot lookout tower. The station seen in this picture was built on a concrete foundation 300 yards offshore in 1935. During World War II, the Harbor Beach Station was used as a Coast Guard training facility.


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Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. Michael was born in Michigan and grew up near Caseville. In 2009 he started this fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 60,000 visitors per month.

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7 thoughts on “Huron County Commissioner Called for Wind Project Moratorium In Michigan’s Thumb Back in 2012

    1. Are they in YOUR backyard, and are they encroaching on your property without your permission? Those are two very serious issues that are being reviewed and addressed. No one is saying absolutely no more, they are simply saying, we need to regroup and assess the mistakes that were allowed up to this point. Just like the horiffic mess of health care, idiots in DC passed something they had not even read or comprehended, now look at the cluster we have…

  1. I think it is refreshing to see a county official actually step up and clearly say “we screwed up, and we need to regroup here” instead of the typical polotician who would simply take a bribe and keep on encroaching on people’s rights. No reason why things can not be slowed down and actually reviewed for the better of the people.

    1. Fred…first thanks for stopping by. I think Huron Co. is taking a pause and stock of what the county will look like for the next 50 years. Western Huron county has taken an industrial look and feel.

  2. I really hope they do put a moratorium on the wind turbines. It’s time to take stock and see just how far we want to go in destroying our landscape. It’s so depressing to see sharp, angular blades, huge towers with heavy thick wires, and flashing red lights everywhere I look! I remember how it was before, so peaceful and serene….one could look for miles and see just silos and steeples.
    The turbines have created more havoc and trouble than they are worth – and have provided very little energy. They’re only there because the law says a percentage of energy has to come from ‘renewables’ – yet they’re already outmoded and inefficient. I don’t mind my neighbors making a few buck off a windmill or two – but the hundreds and hundreds of them are simply greed. And just to add insult to injury my electrical rates have gone up as my quality of life in the Thumb has gone down. Sad.

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