Keys to Successful Local Wind Energy Development

 Keys to Successful Local Wind Energy Development

I’m KayDee Gilkey with today’s Northwest Farm and Ranch Report after this.

Perhaps you’ve thought about the environmental, financial and energy benefits of producing wind energy in the U.S. - but Rich VanderVeen, President of Mackinaw Power, LLC in Michigan, says there are big agricultural benefits as well --- saving farmland for future generations.

VanderVeen: "There are 35,000 acres set under one set of easement, with 250 families and 133 wind turbines in Gratiot County guarantees that that 35,000 acres will not be subject to sprawling America but rather will be kept intact for the the next 30 to 50 years.That farmland will still be farmland.”

VanderVeen says the Gratiot County wind project didn’t face much opposition because of the way they approached the project. He says his golden rules of development could be utilized by any community across the country to garner support for local wind energy production. 

VanderVeen: “Earn the trust and the confidence of the local community.That takes a lot of engagement of the public and informing the public and education, education, education. Involving people and allowing them to make sure that their questions are asked and answered --- that is number one. Number two,of course you have to spend a lot of time and energy and money investing in wind studies. Number three, you must have the transmission available to bring the project forward. You must then utilize the trust and confidence of the local community and  state and federal government to secure the local, state and federal permits and approval. And finally you have to sell the power.”

I’m KayDee Gilkey and that the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.