Iowa already gets 20 percent of it’s total annual electricity from Wind. Other midwestern states are hot on their heels.
BRECKENRIDGE — After 180 years of economic ups and downs, one of the most agricultural counties in Michigan is on the verge of hitting a 21st-Century jackpot, thanks to Mother Nature.
Gratiot County is home to what will be the state’s largest wind farm when it comes on line early next year. Workers have begun pouring the concrete foundations for 133 wind turbines, a significant increase from the 103 turbines currently operating in Michigan.
The project could be just the beginning of a boom in wind energy development for the county, similar to what is occurring in the Thumb and many other parts of the country. Chicago-based Invenergy, the developer of the wind farm, has been talking to utilities about significantly expanding it. And other developers have obtained permits to construct two more wind farms in the county.
If all these plans go through, hundreds of wind turbines would be installed at farms throughout much of the area, generating millions of dollars in lease payments and tax revenues for landowners, the county, its townships and its schools.
“[Raising hogs] is like everything else – get big or get out.” Good point Mr. Hemphill.
Politics, public opinion and “wealth creation” are controlled by large international corporations, with cover from “conservative” think tanks. As they publically pledge allegiance to entrepreneurs and small business, they undermine energy innovation. What a crock.
In the two years I have been living in Lubbock, TX one of the most conservative cities in the U.S. I continue to see more and more wind farms go up. This all happens with little to no backlash from the locals who seem to enjoy having all the windfarms and actually seem to take pride in them. Recently the small town of Ralls, TX, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, has built a series of wind turbines, my guess is to help power the town. It makes you realize who is really against this source of power and it doesn’t appear to be the voters on the far right.