Wind turbines on the horizon (literally and figuratively) for Grand Rapids?

As part of a long term renewable energy plan, the city of Grand Rapids has proposed a plan to erect two 300-foot wind turbines on 79 acres of unused land in nearby Grand Haven Township. The turbines would be adjacent to a water filtration plant, and the electricity generated would be used to power the plant.

The city has already faced hurdles in making the turbines a reality: Last week the U.S. Department of Energy denied the city’s $9.95 million request to help with the project. And the Grand Haven township Wind Energy Turbine ordinance technically doesn’t allow for turbines over 150 feet to be built, so a special exception will have to be made for the proposed turbines. The proposal has also generated some public opposition, from citizens concerned about noise, bird casualties, and the turbine’s visual impact on the Lake Michigan shoreline. But the city is planning to move ahead with the project in spite of these setbacks. Money will have to be borrowed to pay for the project, but the turbines will eventually pay for themselves, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint by about 7,500 tons of CO2 every year. Additionally, the site for the turbines was picked specifically because it was an isolated area, with high potential for wind generation.

The city of Grand Rapids has seen the future and it is green. Grand

Rapids seems to be setting the bar high for Michigan cities in terms of renewable energy and sustainability initiatives, and for that they should be applauded; it is undeniably difficult to break away from the status quo. City leaders have set an ambitious goal of generating 100 percent of the city’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and the proposed wind turbines, and wind energy in general, is an important source of renewable energy on Michigan’s west coast. We’ve got our fingers crossed that GR can meet this goal, and set the standard for what Michigan cities can achieve.