By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. – A series of upcoming workshops aims at educating farmers, landowners, planning and zoning officials, local leaders and concerned citizens about planning for wind energy development in their communities.

“What You Need to Know about Wind Energy Siting and Policy Issues,” is offered collaboratively by Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University and is being presented by Michigan Citizen Planner, an MSU Extension program devoted to land use education and training within the MSU Land Policy Institute.
Glenn Pape, program coordinator with Michigan Citizen Planner, said the workshop series was developed as a proactive approach in assisting local officials in planning for the integration of renewable energy resources.

In October, legislation was enacted that mandates a portion of Michigan’s future energy needs be met through renewable resources such as wind energy.

The new Renewable Portfolio Standard has prompted wind power companies to prospect for sites to locate wind turbines, thus necessitating proactive planning on the part of communities.
“Our goal is to provide local community planners, residents and local officials the tools to make good planning decisions,” Pape said. “We are trying to assist communities so they can put in place plans for how they can have a rational wind energy development plan for their communities. We’re talking about planning considerations for harnessing wind as a resource.”

Pape said Michigan is ranked No. 14 for best wind energy resources, but is “near the bottom of harnessing that.”
However, with the Oct. 6 passage of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, that is expected to change.

Michigan Farm Bureau is a proponent of renewable energy development. MFB member-developed policy supports local zoning for the harvest of wind energy on farms and recommends that the zoning “take into account sound science and benefits for the public,” said Matt Kapp, MFB land stewardship specialist.
“The Michigan Farm Bureau is a big supporter of education and community involvement and we see this workshop series as a prime opportunity to educate and involve the public. We want communities, when considering wind energy, to be able to make informed decisions that are ultimately within the public’s best interest,” Kapp said.

The workshops will cover a variety of topics, including current status of wind energy development in Michigan.

Topics will also include: important policy guidelines and new legislation, siting and zoning guidelines for wind power development, key steps to develop and implement local zoning regulations and essential resources, model codes and Michigan examples.

“We will look at the basics of what wind energy is all about,” Pape said.

“And, we will focus on those changes that communities can look at in terms of developing a wind energy plan in their communities and incorporating that into their master plan. We also will address how they may address wind energy development in their zoning ordinance.”

A total of nine sessions, each scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., are planned:

•Dec. 2 – Holiday Inn West Bay, Traverse City
•Dec. 3 – Michigan Tech University, Houghton
•Dec. 4 – Marquette Holiday Inn, Marquette
•Dec. 8 – Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Midland
•Dec. 8 – Ramada Inn, Ludington
•Dec. 9 – Mendel Center, Benton Harbor
•Dec. 9  – Tuscola Technology Center, Caro
•Dec. 10 – MSU Extension Kent County office, Grand Rapids
•Dec. 11 – Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing

Cost to attend a workshop is $45 for Farm Bureau members and Master Citizen Planners; all others pay $55. To register, go to www.citizenplanner.msu.edu and click on the Training Info & Calendar link at the top of the page.