Off Shore Wind Energy Report Released
A road map for the development of offshore wind energy resources in the Great Lakes was handed to Governor Granholm by the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council in early September. The report finds that 20% of the state owned bottomlands in the lakes has a depth of 30 meters or less, which makes it practicable for offshore wind farms. Among its recommendations, the report suggests a 6-mile buffer zone from ordinary shorelines and a 13-mile buffer from national park shorelines, as well as listing other unsuitable development areas. It recommends that the state consider financial incentives for developers, such as tax incentives, grants, pricing, cost recovery guarantees, and favorable bottomlands lease rates. The report identifies “lessons learned” from experiences in other countries, and recommends that the Council’s life be extended through September 1, 2010 to continue its work. That recommendation has been accepted and future meetings have been scheduled.
