Search for “wind”

Options:   relevant   newest     10 50     expanded condensed

Results 101 to 200 of 356

Energy Laws are Next on the Agenda of State Lawmakers

Understanding this tough issue

… "alternative energy" effectively means wind power. There is a huge difference … complain about. To many who see wind power as an expensive and inefficient … 30 percent goal could give wind developers an additional tool … pressuring them into approving wind projects. There are already … misperceptions used to promote wind power that even simply setting … more

Green Energy Mandate Supporter Claims Individuals 'Do Not Have Rights to Quiet'

25/25 ballot proposal would require a lot more windmills, noise

… Information Act request pertaining to wind turbine noise level issues … renewable sources — primarily wind — by 2025. It would also likely require utilities to push wind farms into an increasing number … number of persons are annoyed by wind farms. Probably a significant … efforts to promote solar and wind energy. His Feb. 22, 2011 message … more

Granholm Wind Scheme Lauded At First, But Then Fell Into Obscurity When It Failed

… scheme to build a $2.2 million wind power project in Manistee County. … Michigan company, Mas-Tech Wind, to build “residential windmills.” … the 380-foot tall industrial wind turbines that have since sprung … Mariah Power had donated a wind turbine to be installed on … “Learning to soar with the wind” was the headline of one such … more

Wind industry strikes against local zoning control in Michigan

After losing big in township votes, turbine companies seek state preemption of local rules

Wind energy businesses are targeting local zoning ordinances … throughout Montcalm County rejected wind energy supporters and ballot … allowing Apex’s commercial wind turbine project to go forward. … recalls and rejections of pro-wind initiatives in counties and … said no to 28 out of 28 local wind ordinances. In response, Apex … more

Wind Association Executive To State Bureaucrats: 'Delete These Types of Emails'

State derails scientific panel recommendations regarding windmill noise levels

… Michigan's noise level limit for wind turbines be lowered. Written … Information Act pertaining to the wind turbine noise level issue. … efforts to promote solar and wind energy. He was program manager … bureaucrats disbanded the Technical Wind Group before it wrote its final … it could vote on a statewide wind turbine noise level standard. … more

Wind, Solar Firms Picked For Granholm’s Governor Mansion Soon Went Broke

Detroit Free Press reported the installation meant she’s not kidding on renewables

… Michigan should be the renewable energy capital of the nation, she’s not kidding,” the article stated. “To prove her point, Granholm had a Michigan-made wind turbine installed at the official residence in Lansing, and it started producing energy last week.” The 1.2 kilowatt-per-hour turbine was made in … more

Doubling State’s 1,100 Wind Turbines Won’t Replace This One Coal/Gas Plant

Michigan’s electric utilities gamble that the reliability of service won’t collapse

… have to double the number of wind turbines currently operating … vendors operate 1,107 industrial wind turbines in Michigan. These … electricity, but only when the wind is blowing. Compare that to … 1,946.3 megawatts regardless of wind or weather. Because the wind only blows intermittently, … more

Michigan House takes solar, wind siting power from local communities, gives to governor

The Michigan Public Service Commission is appointed by the governor

… communities of the power to accept or deny large-scale wind and solar projects, giving that power to appointees … and depend too much on fluctuating, unreliable wind and solar energy — and let Gov. Whitmer’s administration ignore local decisions and force wind and solar farms in rural Michigan communities to … more

'Michigan Wind Is Less Costly Than Coal' Claim Blown Away by Federal Stats

… coal is less expensive than wind in its latest study of the … megawatt hour. By comparison, wind comes in at $97 per megawatt … 85 percent of capacity while wind operates at 34 percent of capacity. Wind energy requires a backup plan … (of coal) up.” The cost of wind also skyrockets when moved … more

More Windmill-Related Environmental Concerns

'We're picking up 10 (dead) bats for every bird'

… by the journal Biology Today suggest that large wind turbines may be more lethal to bats than to birds. … dead creatures found on the ground around large wind turbines. Baerwald and her colleagues were interested … Discovery’s description of the study findings. Wind turbines have long been recognized as seriously … more

Interview with Ohio Sen. Bill Seitz

… two-year suspension of the wind energy mandates currently imposed … recommendations have to do with the wind power situation in Ohio and … utilities they need to have wind farms or how many they need … realize the extent to which wind energy is actually reliant … innate bias for or against wind or any other potential energy … more

Wasting Money on Windmills

… describes how Texas has more wind generator capacity than any … connecting those distant rural wind turbines to where most people … Lakes shorelines with huge wind turbines and towers. And as … centers. If not poured into wind generators expected to produce … summarizes: Understanding wind's unreliability is critically … more

Whitmer’s support for local control may give way to push for solar and wind power

Local zoning decisions stand in the way of state directives

… House bills, HB 5120-5123, would preempt local governments, which have used zoning ordinances to have a say over whether or where industrial-scale wind or solar power developments go up. Local governments and others could present their views at MPSC meetings if these bills become law, but state regulators … more

Michigan’s renewable energy report card

Even by the most optimistic green-energy standards, our state doesn’t make the grade

… renewable energy—mostly solar, wind, and geothermal. That sounds … Michigan, renewables — mostly wind and biomass — supplied a mere … geothermal, solar, hydro, biomass and wind. How does Michigan measure … passed net-zero energy bill. Wind: Grade: D How do you minimize … unreliable energy source like wind? You place your wind turbines … more

Michigan climate policies only help utility giants

What’s progressive about green laws that let corporate behemoths pick the pockets of working Michiganders?

… stop the construction of new wind and solar facilities. Who … Federal policy also makes wind turbines and solar arrays lucrative … at taxpayer expense, paying “wind projects $26 for each MWh of … get guaranteed profits from wind turbines and solar arrays as … described the problems caused by wind and solar mandates and subsidies. … more

Nessel says her energy advocacy saved $3B in 2023

Attorney General neglects to mention her push to shut down the Line 5 pipeline

… by National Review. If Whitmer gets her wish to transition the state to wind and solar, Hayes said, Michiganders will pay an additional $206 billion … supported the move away from natural gas and nuclear in favor of solar and wind power. One high-profile effort is her work to shut down Line 5, a pipeline … more

Board approves language for ballot effort restoring local control of solar siting

Appointees of the governor can override local will, per Public Act 233 of 2023

… control in the zoning of large wind and solar projects took a step … regulate the development of solar, wind, or energy storage facilities … the governor, final say in wind and solar zoning decisions. … to restore local control of wind, solar zoning Under the law … if local officials reject a wind farm, and appointees of the … more

Windmills Power Controversy on Great Lakes

… lake near you soon? Answer: Wind turbines — an alternative source … is the latest target for 160 wind turbines, according to State … too shallow to get reliable wind during the summer months. I'm highly skeptical of the wind potential." Bledsoe said he … lake," he said. SouthPoint Wind, the Canadian developer pitching … more

Confectionery Job Growth Trumps Green Energy Job Growth in Michigan

A miniature wind turbine is featured in former Gov. Jennifer … in the past few years than wind and solar combined. Wind energy accounted for 45 jobs … were 315 jobs generated by the wind and solar industry in the state. … able to release 2009 data on wind and solar jobs.  Hohman said … more

Michigan Capitol Confidential Election 2014 Coverage

… more than any benefit to the state,” Tom McMillin said. “My opponent voted for all of these corporate subsidies paid for by Michigan taxpayers, such wind power, film subsidies …” “During my time in the Michigan Legislature, I built a record on finding solutions; working with Republicans and Democrats … more

Michigan’s Renewable Energy Mandate Causing Harm, Probably Unconstitutional

The state cannot feasibly have a 30 percent mandate

Michigan wind energy promoters have used the state’s recently … close is too close? Regarding wind turbines, the report says: … terrain.” Every operating Michigan wind plant currently has setbacks … typically found in Michigan wind plants. This large setback effectively precludes all onshore wind development in Michigan unless … more

Degrowth and decarbonization will harm people

Michigan is caught up in an energy transition frenzy, and 10 million people stand to differ

… decarbonization. This entails a move from the reliable and affordable energy we obtain from fossil fuels to intermittent forms of energy, such as wind and solar. Michiganders are told we must transition our transportation sector from reliable and safe internal combustion engine vehicles to more expensive … more

Back To The Future With Renewable Energy Puffery

Who benefits if families must pay more to get the same amount of electric power?

… businesses that profit from wind and other renewable energy … “Building and operating more wind farms and solar power plants … don't mention that adding more wind and solar doesn't reduce by … maintain. Utilities don't add wind and solar capacity instead … 2016. If they add 5,000 more wind turbines and cover 100,000 … more

Price of Electricity Up 85 Percent Since 2001

… has been shutting down less expensive coal plants and been moving toward renewable forms of energy that are more expensive, specifically solar and wind power. more

Stimulus Giveaways and Higher Electric Bills Pay for ‘Green Energy’ in Michigan

… Energy announced that its newest wind farm had cleared its first … for the $232 million Lake Winds Energy Park project last week. … 10-year period. Critics of wind energy projects say government … the $72 million that Lake Winds will receive are necessary … itself is too expensive. “Lake Winds and other mandated 'renewable' … more

DTE chooses politics over energy reliability

Michigan’s largest utility is suffering from cognitive dissonance: Its CEO warns of a premature energy transition, as company runs headlong into it

… attempt to replace it with wind and solar, as well as a few … energy and build unreliable wind and solar. Chasing “net zero … claim they can build enough wind, solar, and energy storage … nameplate capacity of the planned wind and solar developments — DTE … build 2,480 MW of utility-owned wind and solar — appears similar … more

Renewables Just a Hood Ornament on Fossil Fuel Power System

You can't have renewable energy without fossil fuels backing it up

… renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, rely on fossil fuels. … generation nominally credited to wind power is actually produced … “Renewable power, especially from wind and solar, will be expected … minute-to-minute with changes in wind speed, cloud cover, and other … hide?” ~~~~~ See also: How Wind Energy Creates More Dependence … more

EV mandates, energy transition threaten grid, regulator warns

Decline of ‘resource adequacy’ in Michigan will cause shortfalls starting in 2028

… System Operator, will face shortfalls before 2030, even if all the expected wind and solar resources expected come online. “Beginning in 2028, MISO is projected … many coal and nuclear facilities will be retired through 2033, while more wind and solar infrastructure is expected to be built. “The 2023 (assessment) … more

Midwest Threatened With Power Outages When Weather Turns Cold

… electricity demanded within MISO’s region, with wind and solar producing less than 4%. Because wind and solar are not reliable sources of energy, there … coal, natural gas and nuclear power, and 12% for wind and solar. more

Former Governor Predicted 17,000 Jobs From 'Green Energy' Mandate, Number of Jobs Has Actually Dropped

Gov. Granholm signed 10 percent mandate in 2008, ballot initiative would increase it to 25 percent

… which includes the jobs for wind and solar power construction. … a person who is hired by a wind farm company and worked for … Energy report from the American Wind Energy Association estimated the entire wind energy sector directly and … many jobs nationwide in the wind energy industry." Steven Miller, … more

Will Your Furnace Turn On When Utilities Abandon Gas And Coal?

Polar vortex exposes risk with all-renewables approach to energy

… an often-made criticism of wind and solar energy in that they … needed. At 12:05 p.m., Jan. 30, wind comprised just 4.45 percent … record-setting cold weather. Ironically, wind power wasn't able to contribute … the Windy City’s needs, as wind power generation plummeted. … just too cold for a lot of wind farms,” Adam Jordan, director … more

DTE’s Renewable Energy Plan Won’t Satisfy Green Groups

Another critic says the plan calls for ‘more expensive, less reliable energy’

… propose massive investments in wind and solar energy production … costs for building solar and wind-energy facilities have declined … Some analyses do find that wind and solar cost sources are … typically ignore the fact that wind and solar also require huge … from, for example, a remote wind farm to those who will use … more

Opposing Groups Rally At State's 'Good Energy Decisions' Panel

… views both for and against wind energy. The college’s Lecture … renewable resources such as wind and solar by 2015. The meetings … have plummeted as a result of wind turbines placed near land he … were conducted to ensure the wind turbines were compliant.  … resident opposed to commercial wind-generated electricity, in his … more

Ohio Moves Closer to No More Windmills

Buckeye state also leads in pushback to federal power generation over-reach

… suspension of the government wind energy mandates that were imposed … all practical purposes means wind turbines in this part of the … in the same boat regarding wind energy. Both are considered to have relatively poor wind energy potential. What is called wind power in these states actually … more

A Flip Of A Switch

Not all energy is there when you need it

… sources, like solar power and wind power, are not consistent, … of the cells. Likewise, the wind does not blow all the time. Wind currents are affected by air … throughout the day. And the wind must be neither too strong … Non-dispatchable sources, like wind and solar, do provide some … more

Weekly Roundup - August 28

… don't mention health care costs. Daily Mail - More than half of Britain's wind farms were build where there is not enough wind. Thomas Sowell - The Constitution is a big barrier to the liberal agenda. … more

Michigan’s Big Electric, Gas Monopoly Hikes Rates, Rakes In Billions

… customers in southeastern Michigan and gas to 1.2 million customers around the state. The company is also a major player in the expansion of industrial wind turbine sites in rural counties. In 2012, DTE posted net profits of $666 million, an amount that rose to $866 million in 2016. From 2012 to 2016, the … more

Close Coal Plants, Open Gas Plants, DTE Gets 10 Percent Profit Either Way

It’s good to be a regulated electric monopoly in Michigan

… also a major player in industrial wind turbine developments in rural Michigan … means also installing hundreds of new wind turbines in rural counties, along with … currently looking to install industrial wind farms in rural areas of Lapeer, Midland, … build an estimated 2,000 additional wind turbines in order to meet a mandate … more

Growing Michigan Together Council omits energy transition

If Michigan’s energy transition is the path to prosperity, why doesn’t Whitmer’s advisory board say so?

… of their ability to zone out large wind and solar projects.  A year and a … when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow. Using wind and solar to serve as the primary, … the money spent on solar panels and wind turbines could have been used to bury … more

Renewable Energy Standard Driving Prices Higher in States, Europe

'Green energy' groups push for 25 percent mandate in Michigan

… renewable sources (particularly wind and solar) increased, the European … “They invested too much in wind power. However, it's unlikely … would have been purchasing any wind power if it hadn't been for … has also made investments in wind power,” Nelson said. “In fact, … Minnesota sort of compete regarding wind power. But here's the difference: … more

Bill Package Includes Elimination of Energy Choice

… by just 2.7 percent.” The Wind Energy Part As Nesbitt stated, … includes language that covers wind energy. Kevon Martis, director … concerned about the construction of wind turbines in the region, said … Gov. Granholm's 50-story-tall wind turbine mandate, Nesbitt's … mandates.” ~~~~~ See also: How Wind Energy Creates More Dependence … more

Hoping Against History: Clinton Calls for Millions of Clean Energy Jobs

There are very few 'clean energy' jobs

… 26,878 jobs in the nation’s hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and other non-nuclear, non-fossil … Administration. Hydro generates another 6 percent, wind 4.7 percent and solar 0.6 percent. Biomass, geothermal … jobs may be slightly understated because solar, wind and biomass facilities owned by local governments … more

Whitmer’s Renewables Order Would Cover Whole Regions In Turbines And Solar Arrays

… Michigan would need to rely on intermittent solar and wind power. Supplying 100% of Michigan’s power grid … Replacing fossil fuels and nuclear energy with wind turbines would require enough turbines to cover … suburbs, or about 920 square miles. Energy from the wind and solar facilities envisioned above would be … more

Windmill Spin: 'No' Means Maybe

… that the utility will not put wind turbines where they are not … ordinance that would have allowed wind turbines to operate within … are not wanted, have put the wind turbines in if the plan to … speaking, we wouldn't put a wind farm where a community wouldn't … have automatically located wind turbines on the newly annexed … more

Former Gov. Granholm’s Clean Energy Promises Go National

New secretary of energy’s Michigan schemes were announced with fanfare but failed in silence

… subsidies for a firm called Global Wind Systems were one example. State … company would build a $32 million wind turbine assembly plant in Novi, … building the new facility. Global Wind Systems was awarded a $7.3 … Times was still touting Global Wind Systems as a jobs creator for its business of building wind turbines. There was just one … more

Renewable Energy is Not Cheaper After All

Popular measurement of renewable energy's cost ignores its unpredictable nature

… energy advocates who claim wind energy is an obvious, market-based energy choice. I argued that, if wind is as affordable as they claim, … distaste for living next to wind farms means arguments for building … special market carve-outs for wind and solar. With a 15 percent … place, state law requires new wind and solar be built, period. … more

Michigan’s Electric Companies Sign Onto Green Agenda

Expect costlier and less reliable electric power supplies

… collector arrays, plus more wind turbines, with these intermittent … state can lean more heavily on wind- and solar-powered resources … generating resources such as wind, solar photovoltaic, battery … energy but unlike solar and wind turbines, is “dispatchable.” … 1,000 additional megawatts of wind turbine capacity over the next … more

'Green' Energy Advocates Targeting Michigan Again

Despite 'green' failures, group wants state to produce 25% of its energy by 2025

… from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass by 2025. … renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, is whether anyone … committee called “Citizens For Wind Energy” could provide a sneak … get a pair of Huron County wind energy ordinances passed in … the creation of overlapping wind energy districts in the townships … more

Green Jobs: The Antithesis of Efficiency

Less energy with more jobs ≠ efficient

… energy, they are referring to wind and solar. But these reports … numbers. Other reports consider wind and solar — the two sources … windmill or solar plant as wind or solar employees. The Bureau … By conventional BLS metrics, wind energy would have employed … energy advocates to report that wind employed 111,166 and solar … more

Is democracy too messy in Michigan?

While voters speak up in Oakland and Mecosta County, Lansing lawmakers dismantle local control

… decide the siting of large-scale wind and solar projects in Michigan, … approve or deny large solar or wind developments. The Senate committee’s … restrictions in optimal areas for wind.” Before Scripps, Rep. Ranjeev … there would be more solar and wind projects in Michigan if it … asked Puri how many solar and wind developments existed in his … more

Analysis: Renewable Electricity 'Net Metering' Capacity: 1/28,000 of Michigan’s Total Needs

… of these small generators make electricity with wind turbines and solar collectors. "Net metering" … - at least during the hours the sun shines, the wind blows, etc. - is just 884 kilowatts. Therefore, if the wind blew steadily and the sun shone non-stop for 12 … more

I Don’t Have Answers to These Questions

There aren't always easy answers to policy questions

… came up recently. How many jobs are actually at wind farms in Michigan? Wind energy was pitched as the next big thing, but wind farms probably don’t require many workers once … more

WikiLeaks: Granholm's Obama Job Application Oversold Clean Energy Jobs

No evidence in data of meaningful green jobs growth

… U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) classified “wind turbines manufacturing” along with 14 other titles … Michigan in 2015, of which some were probably “wind turbines manufacturing.” Battery manufacturing … rules, the agency could release data for jobs in wind electric power generation for 2014, though not … more

Michigan Company, Lauded As A Face Of Green Energy in 2012, Now Defunct

… Department’s State Energy Program to produce utility-scale wind turbines. “Because of federal investments, renewable … press. Energetx Composites produced utility-scale wind turbines and was named as a Center for Energy Excellence … have the potential to revolutionize the way that wind turbine blades are manufactured, helping position … more

Solar panels have a carbon emissions problem

It takes them much longer than reported to become carbon neutral

… operate on 100% renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, by 2035. The bill is currently in the … Jerry Norcia that “sometimes you can’t count on” wind and solar, the energy monopoly announced this month … obvious recognition from the governor’s office that wind and solar are wholly dependent on the weather,” … more

How California learned to stop worrying and embrace fossil fuels

If sunny California can’t run on solar panels, why would anyone think cloudy Michigan can?

… jumps headlong into so-called clean energy, led by wind turbines and solar panels, our leaders should take … of clean energy, they include nuclear along with wind and solar. This time, Whitmer did not, and the … seriousness of the matter: If Michigan has to run on wind turbines and solar panels, it won’t run. There … more

Analysis: Hydraulic Fracturing the Key to Michigan’s Energy Future

… with horizontal drilling techniques. Wind and other alternative energy get most … important to the increased development of wind power. Due to wind power's unreliability, it must be backed … often utilized in conjunction with wind because they can more easily be started … more

Power Outages? Utility Renewables Schemes May Mean ‘Get Used To It’

Michigan’s big utilities also plan for you to just have less to use

… sources, including more industrial wind turbines. The company will also import … highlights the weather-dependent nature of wind and solar generators, which are far … technologies. It’s not a slight against wind and solar to say that; it’s just a … the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.” As a result, … more

Gas, Coal, Nukes Supply 88% Of The Power Keeping Michigan's Lights And Furnace Fans On

… for October 2020 and was published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Hydroelectric power provided 1.3%, and intermittent renewables (wind and solar) provided 10.6% of the state’s net electricity generation. The Energy Information Administration defines net electricity generation as "The … more

Consumers Energy Admits More Renewables Risk Higher Rates, Pushing Ahead Anyway

Michigan will increasingly rely on electricity produced elsewhere

… power sources, including solar and wind. Consumers Energy admits that its … the intermittent nature of solar and wind. This could cause utilities here to … who said at a state hearing that if wind and solar produce more energy than … customers. “If, however, solar and wind resources are not able to dispatch … more

Michigan’s nuclear caucus urges reliable energy transition

Roughly 20% of Michigan lawmakers are making the case for nuclear energy to their colleagues

… powers her colleagues’ fixation on wind and solar and their relative disinterest … “People who back the Dems are funded by wind and solar,” Filler added.“And philosophically, … for Michigan. But the marketing used wind turbines. And she never mentioned nuclear. … in 18 months. “The use of solar, wind, biomass, and other green technologies … more

In Michigan, central planning is not the path to freedom

If you disagree with elected officials, there is a process for that. Not so much for bureaucrats.

… who wants to place solar arrays and wind turbines on his land? What about his … of siting for large-scale solar and wind projects away from local officials, … The siting of large-scale solar and wind projects in Michigan is less about … to lease his or her land for solar wind, this process affords them a way to … more

The simple truth that Michigan’s population council can’t tell

Want to make Michigan competitive? Let people keep their money and send less of it to Lansing

… Whitmer has embraced is neither clean nor affordable. It’s a boost to the wind and solar industries. Yet by 2040 Michigan utilities will run on solar arrays and wind turbines, as if this is not a cloudy and often cold state. Michigan’s reliability … more

Natural Resources the Key to Energy Security

… world's production of rare earth elements. The production of solar panels and wind turbines requires the use of these elements. According to the Free Press, China's hoarding of rare earth elements caused MasTech to stop production of wind turbines for 10 weeks this past summer at its plant in Manistee because … more

Environmental Group Exaggerates Number of Jobs 'Green' Energy Mandate Would Create

Ballot proposal proponents wrongly cite report as promising 74K jobs

… Energy Mandate Supporter Claims Individuals 'Do Not Have Rights to Quiet' Wind Association Executive To State Bureaucrats: 'Delete These Types of Emails' Wind Noise Dispute Pits Scientists Against State Officials Energy Debates Heat … more

California’s energy struggles could be Michigan's future

Wanting an energy transition is one thing; enacting it before you’re ready is quite another.

… recently had its energy struggles. At the peak of some very minor storms and winds, about 380,000 DTE Energy customers in Southeast Michigan were without power. … Michigan’s shaky energy grid can’t handle thimblefuls of rain, or the blowing wind, how will it be able to accommodate a future where many homes will have … more

The Green Energy Bubble

… alternative energy such as wind-powered utilities and cars … creating new jobs such as building wind mills and solar panels. Claims … are being shelved. Solar and wind are now the darlings of advocates … Producing solar panels and wind turbines are supposed to replace … applicability and that the best wind farm in the world only operates … more

While Increased Regulations Shut Down Coal Plants, Energy Costs Skyrocket

… Michigan.” Meanwhile, experts predict large offshore wind turbines could be built in the Great Lakes as quickly as three years. But offshore wind costs $243 per megawatt hour while coal cost range … to replace the loss of coal production because wind and solar are not dependable forms of energy. … more

Michigan House, Senate pass 100% clean energy bill

‘Reliability and affordability is going to explode,’ one lawmaker warns

… create an energy generation problem on top of it, as wind and solar power are not reliable in the way coal … and depend too much on fluctuating, unreliable wind and solar energy — and let Gov. Whitmer’s administration ignore local decisions and force wind and solar farms in rural Michigan communities to … more

Weekly Roundup - Jan. 22

… 40 million Chinese were killed in pursuit of an idiotic goal irrelevant to China's eventual development. "Now the Chinese are placing big bets on wind farms and solar panels. Go to it, fellas! If they think the future is what a certain New York Times columnist says it is, the rest of us can rest easy" … more

Politicians Don’t Guide the Economy, You Do

Economic growth starts with the individual, not the state

… as many net losses as gains. Those wind farms in the Thumb were not built by … of the process from engineering the wind turbines to building them to operating … Unfortunately, the number of jobs in wind electric power generation is not disclosable … concentrated in select companies. While wind’s job impact is unknown, its costs are … more

Rumors of Taxpayer Spending

State job funds are expensive and underwhelming

… the program may end up costing another $310 million. If the program was successful in creating jobs, the results were unreported. There are bills to wind this program down. The 2005 21st Century Jobs Fund is still ongoing. Over the years, the fund has been used to support a number of high-risk investments. … more

This Michigan Utility Is Planning Your Energy Future

We’ll be much more dependent on intermittent power sources and buying electricity from out of state

… renewable sources, including solar and wind. These intermittent sources also will … gas, nuclear, coal and hydroelectric. Wind and solar, by contrast, are not dispatchable. … only produce electricity when the wind is blowing, or the sun is shining. … plans to install 550 megawatts of wind turbines and 6,350 megawatts of solar … more

Watch The Fine Print On ‘Green Jobs’ Claims

Speculation often treated as fact, and definition may be only in eye of beholder

… the U.S. who work in private sector wind farms and solar farms — at a time when … jobs over the following decade from wind farm developments, solar electricity … email: “‘Green energy’ [sources] – wind and solar – are generally not efficient. … and create a lot more wealth than wind and solar workers. That’s why the coal … more

Mix One Part Green New Deal With One Part Polar Vortex

A system that relies solely on renewables would be dangerous for the Midwest

… of the nation’s leading producer of wind energy. But at noon that day, wind generators across the Midwest were … generation to fill in for badly lagging wind and solar facilities. But the company … These space heaters did not run on wind or solar. Midwest residents who had … more

Open Records Law Request? See What The Lawyers Say (You Pay)

Tuscola County raises stakes for obtaining public records

… of Information Act could be diminished. The Mackinac Center sent its request to Tuscola County last October, seeking records from 2019 related to a wind turbine tower development by NextEra Energy Resources. Thomas Bardwell, the chairman of the Tuscola County Board of Commissioners, did not respond … more

Restaurant And Bar Tent Adds Three Walls Too Many For Health Department Officials

Costs the establishment its liquor licence

… told restaurant managers that it must remove the roof of the tent and one of the walls. The restaurant was allowed to keep two of the tent walls as wind breakers. The restaurant agreed to make the changes but never followed through, according to the state of Michigan. The Plymouth Police Department … more

"Green Energy" Subsidy Factory — not just Cap & Trade — the Real Test for GOP Energy Chair

… federal energy apparatus that is flushing taxpayer dollars down ethanol, wind and battery projects while crowding out cheaper fuels and killing jobs,” … helped create—and love—this subsidy factory. It keeps their corn farmers and wind-turbine producers in business. The grants will prove more valuable now that … more

Sierra Club: No Gas, No Coal, No Nukes; Lansing Utility: No Lights, Then

General manager: 'I’ve given up trying to talk to them'

… require all electricity in Michigan to come from renewable sources such as wind and solar. This appears to have caused a rift between the environmentalist … efficiency,” Peffley said. “You can’t supply energy that way. With only wind and sun, this country will be black.” The Lansing utility released a poll … more

Whitmer affirms that nuclear energy is clean energy

In a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Whitmer describes Palisades nuclear plant as good business and good for the environment

… Michigan has a quickly growing supply of solar panels and more than 1,500 wind turbines. Yet combined, they still can’t produce as much electricity as the Palisades plant alone. There is no economically viable path to ramp up wind or solar production to replace the lost power, much less meet the state’s … more

Want to sell control of your water heater to Consumers Energy?

Monopoly power utility offers Michigan customers small-time money for shutoff privileges

… avoid “having to impose larger blackouts or outages when reliably unreliable wind and solar inevitably fail.” Consumers countered that its primary goal is … law, are moving away from reliable sources such as clean nuclear energy to wind and solar, which are not reliable. Consumers has asked for rate hikes in … more

Freeway floods, power outages show Michigan failing at what matters

Pride precedes fall as weather event shuts down boastful state

… work with little notice. It’s true that this was no thimbleful of rain. Winds were high. Rain was intense. Damages were massive. At least five people … were the answer, we’d know it by now. The trees aren’t going away until the wind blows them away. So the power lines must go underground. This will cost … more

Federal 'Stimulus' Spent $34.5 Million In Michigan For Only 183 Total Jobs

14 companies spent over $188K per job

… list, the majority are in the wind turbine business. Employment, … jobs. Ventower, which makes wind turbine towers, currently employs … Another company, Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. of Eaton Rapids, … out of places to store it. Wind and solar power account for … U.S. Department of Energy. The wind-power industry is currently … more

Town Votes Down Windmill Plan, Board Moving Ahead Anyways

Resident: 'They talk about the environment, but it really all comes down to money'

… ordinance that would allow wind turbines to operate near their … which has zoning that allows wind turbines. There is no way Lake … Osborn is an advocate for wind power. "I'm in favor of it … all have leases for putting wind turbines on their land. These … increased in the areas where the wind turbines are built," he said. … more

CapCon’s Top 10 Stories For 2019

Road Fix That Wasn’t, Gun-Free Zones, 1,100 Windmills Won’t Replace This Coal Plant

… Headline: Doubling State’s 1,100 Wind Turbines Won’t Replace This … have to double the number of wind turbines currently operating … vendors operate 1,107 industrial wind turbines in Michigan. These … electricity, but only when the wind is blowing. Compare that to … 1,946.3 megawatts regardless of wind or weather. more

What if it Were April Fools' Day Year Round?

It might sound a lot like this

… massive potholes would have been more effective.” Wind energy advocate: “If true-believing rank-and-file … the environmental movement ever figure out that wind energy is actually powered 70 percent of the time … they stop protesting fracking, stop going to pro-wind rallies, or just forget about the whole thing and … more

A Global Climate Strike Isn't Enough

Personal responsibility will do more for the climate than striking

… up as replacements for fossil fuels — typically wind and solar — couldn’t even exist without fossil … renewables. Without steel, there are no towers to hold up wind turbines. Without rare earths, there are no solar panels. Adding to this conundrum is the fact that wind and solar cannot provide reliable power. They are … more

DTE can’t tree trim its way to reliability

After ice storms and thundersnow cause mass outages, DTE must admit: Burying power lines underground is the answer

… the ice storm last week the previous week, or the wind storm last August — the utility giant blames our … their lives, then they hold their breath when the wind blows. If trimming trees were the answer, wouldn’t … of hands: Who’s still buying that? We’ve seen wind, rain and ice wreck the grid in recent years. The … more

DTE, Consumers’ peak-hour pricing plans have it all backward

Stanford study undermines utility peak-hour rate planning

… transitioning to so-called green energy sources like wind and solar. The state of Michigan, large utilities, … commitment to eliminate reliable energy sources despite wind and solar’s extreme land use, heavy impacts on … minerals, and metals that go into the construction of wind and solar actually make them “pure embodiments … more

I'm Just a Bill

… strategies." SENATE BILL 46 Authorize state money for school solar and wind systems Introduced by state Sen. Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck The bill … grants and interest-free loans to school districts to install solar and wind energy systems. HOUSE BILL 4058 Require state to pay off Detroit schools … more

Prop 3 Would Cost Taxpayers Billions

… would mean in practice is between 2,300 and 3,800 of those giant industrial wind turbine towers, located in clusters all over the state. The initiative is … from passage of Proposal 3. So what happens in the real world under these wind power mandate regimes? The Institute for Energy Research looked into this … more

As Michigan House Considers Electric Monopoly Bill, Observers Fear Price Spikes

'Political calculations are a risky substitute for a business plan based on actually meeting demand'

… by grass roots groups and residents in townships likely to be targeted by wind developers looking to cash in on the higher renewable mandate. Residents fear having hundreds of additional industrial wind turbines scattered across their rural landscapes. William Yeatman, a senior … more

Best Of The Best

CapCon’s most popular stories from 2017

… public school team names and mascots must be dropped. No. 6 story: Proposed Wind Turbines In Michigan County Taller Than ‘Mighty Mac’ The main towers of … Mackinac Bridge are 552 feet tall. That makes the bridge 48 feet shorter than wind turbines being proposed for Shiawassee County. No. 7 story: Medical Pot … more

Whitmer’s Support Of Nuclear Power Shows How Renewable Energy Has Fallen Short

Asking feds to help keep Palisades nuclear plant’s reactor in service

… is seeing firsthand the a risk of focusing so much on renewable energy. Wind power was the top source of electricity there, at 22.6% of the total grid load, according to Wind Power Monthly. The New York Times published an April 5 story, describing … more

Michigan’s coming energy crisis will be man-made

Michigan’s energy transition is a bait-and-switch move away from reliable energy

… on reliable energy, preferring instead weather-dependent sources such as wind and solar. Michigan’s coming energy crisis will be man-made. The resources of the future — said to be wind and solar — are not ready, while one of today’s energy sources, coal, is … more

Challenging Property Taxes Could Bring Big Savings

… estimated it would take up to eight hours to prepare an appeal. Leon Drolet, chairman of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said the workshops will wind up in March because that is when appeals are usually heard by the appeal boards. Property values are dropping to near historic levels. Richard Steffens, … more

Analysis: State's Decision to Deny Wolverine Power Plant Smacks of a Double Standard

… Michigan residents should demand that the same standard regarding the need for new power be applied to all new proposed power generation including wind power. Of course that will not happen from Gov. Jennifer Granholm's administration, which is a cheerleader for alternative energy even though it will … more

State Taxpayers May Eat $1.6 Million Loan for Defunct Green Bus Company

… I think it is an important piece of the legacy that the businesses you are picking to win and whose business plans you support with state tax money wind up being big losers. That says some of these green energy business plans are likely to be facades held up with state support.” ~~~~~ See also: Stimulus … more