Wind Energy Resource Zone Board to Hold Public Hearing in Bad Axe

Contact: Judy Palnau (517) 241-3323

The Wind Energy Resource Zone Board will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, in Bad Axe on its proposed report that identified the four regions in Michigan with the highest level of wind energy harvest potential.

The report, issued on June 2, was required by Public Act 295 of 2008, also known as Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act.  It was submitted to local units of government in the affected areas for their comments. 

The public hearing will take place at the Huron County Expo Center, located at 170 West Soper Rd. 

A second public hearing will take place on Monday, Aug. 31, in Scottville. 

The 11-member board, appointed by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), is required to issue its final report no later than 45 days after the last public hearing.  At that point, transmission companies and electric utilities will identify for planning purposes the electric transmission facilities needed to deliver the estimated minimum and maximum wind energy potential from each of these regions.  The MPSC will consider the findings in the board's final report and other information before designating one or more areas as a "wind energy resource zone."

The entire proposed report is available at michigan.gov/windboard.