For those who have been following the ongoing West Michigan offshore wind farm saga, and for those who have given some generous donations in our fight, I'd like to provide a little update of what's going on.
I think the Big Lebowski said it best:
I often choose the Big Lebowski to express myself about the wind farm issue because I feel like some random slob drinking white russians who managed to haphazzardly stumble into an epic struggle with some of my pals.
The struggle for offshore wind power, and for a new industry in West Michigan continues.
As something of a primer, a company called Scandia and their parent company Havgul Clean Energy made a 1000 MW offshore wind farm proposal for off the coast of Mason and Oceana counties...the two counties to the north of Muskegon county. A group of people, lead by individuals who live outside the region and own second homes or vacation homes along the lakeshore, staged protests and raised about half a million dollars to fight the proposal...
Our group, meanwhile, managed to convince the developers to move part of their proposal further south to Muskegon County and Ottawa County (south of Muskegon County)...
So the developers split their proposal in half, planning 500 MW off the coast of Oceana and Mason Counties and 500 MW off the coast of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties.
Opponents managed to pressure the commissioners in BOTH Oceana and Mason Counties to deny the developers the ability to perform 3 years of research.
Opponents in the final meeting in Oceana County shouted one of the pro-wind farm speakers off the stage, and heckled the developer as he spoke yelling occasionally "GO BACK TO NORWAY!!!"
A man I spoke to prior to the meeting has his second home in Oceana along Pentwater, and came in from his house in Italy (the country) to attend the meeting and oppose the turbines. This is fairly typical of the opposition. Many don't live even remotely near to the area. I feel the commissioners in both counties caved to the pressure of monied interests and a few land owners while failing to act in the interest of the vast swaths of unemployed and underemployed in their counties who are struggling to get by...Oceana County has some of the highest levels of state assistance per capita in Michigan, with 1/3 of citizens on some form of State assistance.
The developers, Scandia and Havgul have, so far, respected the votes of Oceana and Mason counties and are now focusing on the 500 MW wind farm planned for off the coast of Muskegon and Ottawa counties, and they are taking the fight to Lansing.
Meanwhile, a second developer called BlueWater Wind gave a presentation to community leaders regarding offshore wind in Lake Michigan. They have not yet revealed where they intend to site their offshore wind farm...they are waiting for the State to complete its offshore wind farm siting regulations before they reveal where they would like to set up.
Bluewater Wind is unlikely to make the mistake of actually asking the county commissioners to vote on a proposal. The irony is, Mason and Oceana voted out the one developer that actually saw fit to ask their permission. Not the wisest decision on the developers' part. Bluewater Wind and other developers won't make that mistake. And new legislation won't require it.
The battle still continues and now instead of ONE developer, there are TWO developers eyeing up the Great Lakes and probably Lake Michigan. And there will be more once the regulatory legislation is complete...which is likely to be early next year, or shortly after the election.
While Oceana County and Mason County have temporarily pushed one developer out, others will follow. Mason County's 1850 MW pumped water power plant reservior is just too perfect as a gigantic battery for wind power...and it already has the massive power lines in place right off the coast. They're going to be a prime target for offshore wind farms.
Scandia's proposal for off the coast of Muskegon County and Ottawa County still stand, and our group is still fighting to keep the cleen, renewable power in the area and establish a new industry in West Michgian.
I went to an organization called The Right Place yesterday and met with one of the head people there. They work tirelessly to convince idle manufacturers to persue the wind turbine supply chain business and try to connect them into the industry. Much of the misinformation spread by wind farm nay-sayers has directly affected Michigan's ability to compete in the industry as many manufacturers actually believe that wind power is not a viable industry and choose not to persue the opportunity.
Our friend at The Right Place spends his time trying to show them the facts so they do move toward this new industry and start employing people making turbine parts. He has encouraged us that our efforts to educate and lure this new industry is having and will have a direct impact on job creation in the area as more manufacturers learn that the wind power industry is a stable, long term industry worthy of investment.
As always our organization, the West Michigan Jobs Group, could use some donations if you're so inclined.