Tag Archives: Wind Farm

Wind Energy

Thumbwind’s 2011 Wind Farm Predictions for Huron County Proved True

Leave a comment

BladeBack when Thumbwind was launched about six years ago we undertook the the the 2011-2012 Thumb Wind Survey. It was one of the most viewed articles we posted in the early days. We predicted a total of 466 turbines in the thumb by 2017.

As of March 2017 the Huron Daily Tribune reported 473 wind turbines operational in Huron County.  ThumbWind’s popular Wind Farm Map serves to track wind farms being planned or in operation throughout Michigan. We also added Wind Farm Accidents to our page.

Needless-to-say this is well beyond our expectations in 2011. The recent moratorium of new wind farms  has halted several large projects in Huron County but  projects in Tuscola and Sanilac continue to proceed. Development of new wind farms has turned to Mid-Michigan as of the projects are being proposed in Isabella County.

Thumbwind.com will be consolidating its  tracking of projects this Fall and projecting a 2018-2020 projection by January 2018.

Related articles
Advertisements
Wind Energy

“What Have I Done” – Farmers Regret Saying Yes To Turbines

3 Comments

Re-posted from 2012

“By  signing that contract, I signed away the control of the family  farm, 

and it’s the biggest regret I have ever experienced and will ever experience.”

Gary Steinich, Cambria, Wisconsin. June 2011

A sad and disheartening story of three Wisconsin farmer’s experiences with a wind developers. The first is a personal narrative of Gary Steinich’s dealing with Florida Power and Light near the Wisconsin Town of Cambria. He outlines how he was lied too, sees huge portions of his land taken out of production, fields sub-divided by access roads and cable rights of way, removal of 1000’s tons of top soil and how he has to ask permission to walk on his own property.

glacier20hills20detail

This is an open letter first posted in 2011. It includes pictures of development taking place and an actual copy of the lease that Gary and his father signed. Truly recommended reading if you’re considering signing a wind farm lease.

Wind Farm Construction

The important message here is to hire an attorney experienced with wind lease agreements and land zoning and mineral rights.

Wisconsin Farmers Regrets Saying Yes To Turbines

ThumbWind-Mercantile-banner

Local Fun & Food

Windfall for Landowners as Huron Co. nears 400 Wind Turbines in Michigan’s Thumb.

Leave a comment

RES AmericasWith the self-imposed wind moratorium all but finished in Huron County several wind projects are slated to start up in the Upper Thumb this fall. Renewable Energy Systems Americas will begin construction on 47 wind turbines in Dwight, Bloomfield and Lincoln townships, while Huron Township will begin with 25.

The project, entitled the Deerfield Wind Energy project, will provide up to 200 jobs during the peak of construction and up to six permanent jobs once construction is completed. Currently more than 215 local landowners are participating in Deerfield Wind Energy

The 72 turbines will generate 150 megawatts enough to power 50,000 to 60,000 homes. Cadillac-based Wolverine Power Cooperative is the power purchaser.

In a new trend to appease landowners, RES Americas, told county officials earlier this year that every landowner within 2,100 feet of a turbine would receive royalty payments, even those with or without turbines.

Deerfield Wind Energy is scheduled to reach commercial operation by December 31, 2016.

Wind Energy

Lansing Watch Dogs Take Note of Wind Separatist Movements in Lake Township

3 Comments

From 2012 – Huron County Michigan – The news that a small group of Lake Township landowners seeking to separate from the township to pursue wind development is starting to be noticed in Lansing. The Michigan Capitol Confidential under the Mackinac Center for Public Policy released a story on Monday that seems to blast the moves by a disgruntled group to negate the referendum vote held this past February in Lake to restrict wind development.

The full story can be read at Town Votes Down Windmill Plan, Board Moving Ahead Anyways on the CapCon site.

Twenty landowners want to exit Lake Township, by ceding to the wind development friendly Chandler township located on the southern border. The wind separatist group have hired attorney William Fahey of Okemos to utilize Michigan’s PA 425 to assist in the separation process.

This is the first significant news coverage of the Lake Township wind farm story posted outside of Huron County. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Michigan citizens by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions.

Related articles

ThumbWind-Follow-Us-On-Twitter