OCEANA COUNTY—
It's a first of its kind plan for the state of Michigan and it could be the first water based wind farm in the country. A Norwegian based company wants to build a three billion dollar wind farm in Lake Michigan.It would include anywhere between one hundred and two hundred turbines in the water. The turbines would be constructed between two and four miles off the coast between Silver Lake State Park near Mears and Ludington. The structures could be as tall as a thirty story building.
The company held a public meeting on the issue Monday night at Shelby High School. More than six hundred people showed up to voice their opinions, their concerns and to ask questions.
"I spend more time buying a car then they're asking us to decide on something that would be sitting out on our lake for the next hundred years," said concerned Pentwater resident Janet Webber.
The opposition to the plan is growing. Opponents have formed a non-profit group to fight the development. They worry the development would negatively affect the state's fishing, boating and tourism industries. Plus, they worry it'll be a huge eyesore.
However, the project manager for Havgul Clean Energy told Fox 17 News they'll perform studies to determine what the efffects on business and the environment would be. That is if the counties agree to move forward. They say the turbines would make the area less dependent on coal and that they'll generate enough electricity to power close to 350,000 homes with green energy.
"It'll have a very big impact on the state of Michigan because we believe this will kick start the off shore industry in Michgian," said Harald Dirdal of Havgul Clean Energy.
The project is far from a done deal. They still need local, state and federal approval.
The company's holding another public meeting at Ludington High School on Tuesday night at seven.
