It looks like wind power is going to be in our future
Sunday, March 11, 2007
It's not going to be pretty, and the sight and sound of spinning turbines is going to grate on some nerves, but wind energy is in West Michigan's future. Next year, the first of 90 planned wind-to-energy machines may start up their propellers in Oceana County.
That much is clear following the announcement of Mackinaw Power President Rich Vanderveen that 35 leases have been secured from area farmers in four Oceana County townships: Weare, Elbridge, Hart and Crystal. The four townships are near the knobby peninsula sticking out along the shoreline of West Michigan due north of the Muskegon County line.
It is here that winds blow with particular energy across the Big Lake and into Oceana County. As the winds blow, they power the turbines, which spin like the windmills of old to generate the power that comes from nature's free energy source. Environmentalists say natural energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal heat from underground are the key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels such as oil and coal.
In addition to his Oceana project, Vanderveen has plans for other areas within the state where his research shows that wind power is reliable enough to be feasible for a turbine site. Areas in Muskegon County in the White Lake region have also been eyed by Vanderveen and others.
It is only a matter of time, we think, before limitations of supply and rising costs force energy customers to look elsewhere for power. As stated earlier, there are indeed tradeoffs whatever sources are used. However, it's best that supply and demand be given its opportunity now while there's still time to adjust to the great energy challenges ahead for America and the world.
