Posted: Thursday, 16 October 2008 4:46PM Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Wind Power

With Michigan's growth in wind energy dependent on community adoption of the necessary wind siting laws, Michigan Citizen Planner is offering a "What You Need to Know about Wind Energy Siting and Policy Issues" workshop at nine locations throughout Michigan during December. Sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University, the three-and-a-half-hour workshops will provide planning and zoning officials, local leaders, concerned citizens, farmers and landowners interested in wind the tools and resources necessary to create and implement a strategic plan for wind energy development in their communities. In response to the state's recent passage of a law mandating utilities generate 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015, wind power companies are prospecting for new sites in communities to locate wind turbines. Michigan Citizen Planner, a Michigan State University Extension program within the Land Policy Institute, is working to assist communities in taking advantage of this plentiful renewable energy resource in Michigan and encourages all Michigan communities to avoid public discord and uncertainty by proactively adopting planning policies and regulations before they receive an energy facility siting application. The Wind Siting and Policy Issues workshops will cover an array of related issues, including: * Current status of wind energy development in Michigan * Important policy guidelines and new legislation * Siting and zoning guidelines for wind power development * Key steps to develop and implement local zoning regulations * Essential resources, model codes and Michigan examples Visit www.citizenplanner.msu.edu and click on "Training Info & Calendar" at the top of the page for workshop locations and dates or to register for the workshops. The MSU Land Policy Institute focuses on research and outreach related to land use and strategic growth in the New Economy. The Institute delivers innovative solutions, transitioning knowledge from land use experts to the community. The Land Policy Institute was founded in 2006.

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