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The Big Blow…Out

Yep…we didn’t have any power.

We rolled into our cottage knowing that the power was already out.  Not an uncommon occurrence in the Upper Thumb. However, the neighbors had a generator going and we played catch up on the neighborhood and listened to the turntable play some genuine vinyl tunes from the 1970’s. The bourbon was out. It was a great evening.

Today the weather was warm. I planted a row of Pontiac Reds potatoes and one set of onions that I picked up from Huron’s Finest on the way up. I played pick up sticks in the yard. Ray had a tree down in his yard next door and the birds were coming into the feeders.

We decided to head home as our youngest was home from college and it would have made for an early night with no lights.

On the way home, we counted almost 50 DTE vehicles on M53 heading up into the Thumb. The word in Caseville it would be Tuesday before power would be restored. Ugh!

Other than that it was an ordinary, wonderful day in the Upper Thumb. Hope yours was too.

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Environment News, Uncategorized, Wind Energy

Michigan’s Governor Makes Bold Stance With Renewable Energy

snyderIn a statement on Friday March 13th. Michigan’s governor Snyder pressed for targets for renewable energy that will exceed former governor Jennifer Granholm’s targets of 25% renewable energy by 2025.  Snyder’s goal is 30 to 40 percent renewable energy, coupled with waste elimination by 2025 .

He declared , “Decisions we make in the coming years will keep energy more affordable and available through a variety of sources while we continue being good stewards of our lakes, air and land,” Snyder said.  “We also must ensure that Michigan — not Washington, D.C. – will determine how we move forward, transitioning from the sources of yesterday to newer, cleaner methods.”

When speaking on March 13th at the Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center in Warren, Snyder said the state has an energy capacity problem, in part because 10 coal power plants will be retired in the coming years. This comes as our economy continues to grow and demand increases, making our infrastructure and natural assets even more important to our future.

The governor also called for significant changes to the way regulated utilities are allowed to account for waste reduction investments. He noted “Right now, our law prevents utilities from spending more than 2 percent of their budget on waste reductions, even if that forces them to buy expensive equipment.”

Its unclear what impact this will have on the current debate now happening in Huron County, Michigan on placing a moratorium on new Wind Turbine projects in the Upper Thumb.

Wind Energy

Potential Stop of All Wind Projects in Michigan’s Thumb

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Huron Wind Tribines[Ed Note: This post is dated March 2012]

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. “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.