GVSU hosts Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council meeting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center is hosting a community meeting of the Michigan Great Lakes Wind (GLOW) Council, an advisory body appointed by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm to make recommendations related to offshore wind energy development.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the council's work and provide input on recommendations related to offshore wind energy development. The July 20 meeting begins with an open house and poster session at 6 p.m. Presentations will be from 6:30-9 p.m. The meeting will be held in Grand Valley’s Eberhard Center, 301 W. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids.  

In a September 2009 report, the council recommended criteria for identifying the least and most favorable areas for development of offshore wind energy in the state's Great Lakes. Its upcoming report will identify five priority wind resource areas, which are located in southern Lake Michigan near Berrien County, in northern Lake Michigan near Delta County, in central Lake Superior near Alger County and in central and southern Lake Huron. These shallow areas are at least six miles offshore and include buffers for shipping lanes and sensitive habitats.

In March 2010, the council proposed a legislative framework to establish a clear process for leasing developable state-owned bottomlands. The council is seeking further public input on its recommendations. Comments can also be submitted to the council via the council's website at www.michiganglowcouncil.org (using the comments form on the “Contact Us” page) or by e-mail at [email protected]. The council will consider all of the input as it prepares its final report to be issued in the fall of 2010.

For more information, including a copy of the council's report, visit the council's website at www.michiganglowcouncil.org.