Clean energy developers had planned a 75-turbine wind farm in mid-Michigan’s Montcalm County before local voters shot down the idea in 2022 and recalled seven local officials who had supported it.

About 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast, Clara Ostrander in Monroe County found herself at the center of a similar conflict as rising medical costs forced her and her husband to consider selling land her family has owned for 150 years.

Leasing a parcel to an incoming solar farm could save the property, but neighboring residents complained so vehemently that Ostrander said the township changed its zoning to block the project.

“There are people in this township I will never, ever speak to again,” she said.

Michigan and more than a dozen other states are seeking to upend the decision-making process by grabbing the power to supersede local restrictions and allow state authorities to approve or disapprove locations for utility-scale projects.

The shift has sparked a political backlash that may escalate as more states seek to simplify getting green energy projects approved and built.

“We can’t allow projects of statewide importance that are critical to our state energy security to be vetoed on purely local concerns,” said Dan Scripps, chair of Michigan’s Public Service Commission.

  • Nougat@kbin.social
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    9 months ago

    I cannot comprehend people who think wind farms are an eyesore. I find them to be absolutely beautiful.

    • runswithjedi@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      And the same people are ok with stringing up cables everywhere for electricity and leveling forests for 10 lane highways that lead to giant shopping malls.

    • TenderfootGungi@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      I can understand in some places, like mountain areas that rely on tourism. But in most places I also find them beautiful.

      • Nougat@kbin.social
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        9 months ago

        Would you even put up a wind farm in mountainous terrain? I expect the increased cost of installation and maintenance in rugged terrain would have a serious impact on the ROI.

  • Blackout@kbin.social
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    9 months ago

    Where that wind farm was going was nothing but farmland it’s hardly anybody nearby. The same people who proclaim they should be free from “the tryanny of the government” use the government as a weapon against others.

  • runswithjedi@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    I just listened to an episode of Planet Money that explains why these projects are so difficult and expensive. There are so many stakeholders who have the ability to delay or stop a project that it increases the cost and lowers the probability of completion compared to other countries.

    The relevant part is in the second half ~11:30 https://getpodcast.com/podcast/nprplanetmoney/two-indicators-after-affirmative-action-and-why-america-overpays-for-s_d98ce6ccd1

  • Jaderick@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    The town hall meetings discussing these development projects are complete shit shows. The two most common arguments are that it will kill the birds (not true, at least for solar projects) or that it’s ugly, but a lot of anti-renewable energy misinformation too. Lots of dramatics as well lol. I have a close friend who has to attend these meetings for a living.

    • Kraven_the_Hunter@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      9 months ago

      And the thing is, coming over the crest of a hill to reveal a sprawling field of wind turbines is a cool thing to see. Almost breathtaking in my opinion.

      Coming over the crest to reveal a massive field of pump jacks is, well, let’s just say depressing. They’re all rusty, limited vegetation around or more weeds than anything. If “ugly” is the excuse then pumping oil is the one to avoid.

    • Ooops@kbin.social
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      9 months ago

      So you are still at the “dead birds” part of the fairy tale retelling? It will get from shit show to clown show once they move on to try arguing with “science” like the imaginary health issues caused by infrasound.

  • derf82@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Meanwhile in my garbage conservative state, the state is blocking local governments from approving green projects.