Last week we shared a story of how Bob Walton, a farmer from Rosebush, is benefitting from the Isabella Wind Project. This week, we’re talking with the company who is behind Michigan’s largest wind farm: DTE Energy.
Dave Harwood, renewable energy director, says clean electricity, which comes from wind or solar energy, is in high demand from customers.
“DTE’s growth in the renewable energy sector initially started because the state has a mandate that utilities generate at least 15 percent of their electricity from clean sources,” he says. “One of the things that’s emerged over the last three or four years is unprecedented customer demand for more. Customers are telling us, ‘We want more than 15 percent, and I’m willing to pay for it as long as it’s not much more expensive.’”
DTE has 18 wind and 32 solar projects in operation. Harwood says by 2023, they plan on doing solar exclusively. He adds that communities are seeing several gains from these projects.
“They’re seeing some substantial benefits in the form of local tax revenue—that can provide funding for police, schools, roads and vital community services,” says Harwood. “In addition to that tax revenue, wind development projects provide hundreds of local jobs, especially during construction, but even after construction as we own, operate and maintain those facilities.”
Not every community wants a wind or solar farm, and Harwood recognizes that. He says DTE doesn’t force these projects if they’re not welcomed.
“If we want to build in an area, we have to certainly have agreement from the landowners that we would want to have easements with to support a project,” says Harwood. “At the same time, we’re also going to need to adhere to any zoning ordinances, get all the local permits we need to build and operate the facility. As you go through that process, you learn what the needs are of a specific community, what their concerns are, and if you can address their concerns. What you’re targeting is a win-win situation.”
Later this year, the Meridian Wind Project in Midland and Saginaw Counties will come online, surpassing Isabella as the largest in Michigan.
