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At a workshop for government planners and for developers held at the Boyne District Library on Aug. 16, Michigan State University Professor Michael Klepinger said that Michigan has the potential to be a great energy-producing state.

Klepinger detailed the issues surrounding wind turbines and recommended siting and zoning regulations. Because very few of Michigan's townships have zoning regulations for wind turbines and with wind energy companies beginning to seek development locations, there is an increasing need for guidance.

Klepinger presented a positive outlook, highlighting the potential for wind energy to boost the Michigan economy. He citied 60 percent of Michigan's energy comes from coal, but coal is not harvested in Michigan. The money spent on coal-produced energy, approximately $1.5 billion a year, is flowing out of the state, Klepinger said. Not only could money from wind energy generation be beneficial to Michigan's economy, but also the manufacturing of turbine parts could create a new industry for the state. Klepinger said the state might adopt a regulation that would require that 20 percent of electricity sold to Michigan consumers come from a renewable source by 2021.

Concerns regarding wind turbines include noise, appearance, shadow flicker, and birds that are killed when they fly into the wind turbines. Some people view wind turbines as elegant and futuristic, while others view them as industrial and unsightly.

The "Michigan Siting Guidelines for Wind Energy Systems"was discussed at the workshop sponsored by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. It presents land set-back and other guidelines proponents of wind turbines say would largely prevent offensive noise, shadow flicker, and excessive bird kill. Klepinger encouraged local planners to use the guidelines as "sample ordinance language,"and to adjust them to meet each community's needs.

But, Nancy Ferguson, a local resident and environmentalist, has a different outlook on wind turbines than Professor Klepinger. She has concerns for the beauty of Northern Michigan and the tourist economy, stating that some people don't like the sight of wind turbines. Ferguson believes that the ranking of 14 out of 20 in wind-energy potential doesn't give Michigan reason enough to invest in commercial wind power, but sees some of the other states as better places.

Ferguson's concerns revolve around zoning and siting requirements. She says that the minimum setback of 1,000 feet is far too small and should be at least a quarter mile (1,320 feet)or optimally a half-mile. A setback of that size might require farmers to pool their land together in order to install commercial turbines, but Ferguson believes it would be for the good of the neighboring residences. A supporter of clean energy and energy independence, Ferguson used a classic saying to describe the situation: "Location, location, location."

"I don't think Michigan is suitable for big wind, but is it suitable for small wind? You bet,"said Ferguson.

While taking a hard line with commercial wind turbines, Ferguson is friendlier toward smaller residential turbines like that found on Michael and Tammy Buttigieg's property, located between East Jordan and Boyne City. Buttigieg, who owns and operates Michael's Locksmith Services as well as Michael's Wind and Solar Systems, runs the electricity in his house off the grid with his own wind turbine and solar panels. The nine-year old wind turbine stands 120 feet tall, less than half the height of some commercial turbines, and helps to power his entire house, big-screen television included, all but for an estimated 60 hours per year when he relies on a back-up propane generator.

Because Buttigieg owns the 40-acres that surround him, any zoning regulations that might have existed didn't apply to him. The "Michigan Siting Guidelines for Wind Energy Systems" suggest that communities develop different regulations for personal systems than for the utility-scale systems, such as requiring a 5-10 acre site for a residential turbine.

The cost of a turbine like Buttigieg's is around $10,000, a price some may think is excessive. But not Buttigieg.

"People don't think twice to spend $20,000 or $30,000 on a vehicle,"he said. He also noted that such a system pays for itself in a matter of 10 years, whereas a car provides no payback. Buttigieg is an advocate of multi-source energy, believing that the answer to the state's energy needs can come from wind, solar, and other renewable sources (such as geothermal and biomass)combined.

Like Buttigieg, "Sixty-five percent of Michigan residents have enough wind at their own home" to provide a significant source of their own electricity, Klepinger said. In what capacity residents will be able to pursue either residential or commercial turbines is largely up to the residents and their planning boards in the local communities.