Wind Farm Project Re-Focused

By Tom Kramer

Duke Energy says it's changing its focus for a proposed wind farm in Benzie and Manistee Counties. The North Carolina-based utility has proposed building more than 100 turbines in four townships. Duke now says it will focus development of it Gail Windpower project in just two: Pleasanton and Joyfield.

On their website, Duke says the decision was made, in part, in response to a landowner survey which showed greater support for the project in those two townships.

Three townships currently have moratoria on wind projects including Pleasanton Township although that is set to expire in October. Joyfield Township has no zoning regulations at all.

A spokesman for Duke told the Michigan Land Use Institute that it's still too early to say if the turbines planned for Arcadia and Blaine Townships might be removed from the project.