MATTESON TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – After over two years of meetings and discussion, the Matteson Township Board on Wednesday night dealt a potential blow to DTE Energy’s plan to install wind turbines in the township.
In front of a packed audience, the board passed a 34-page ordinance which regulates wind turbines. The regulations establish height limits for the Wind Energy Conversion Systems. In addition, the distance between a wind turbine and the property lines would have to be equal to 150 percent of the height of the tower including the top of the blade in its vertical position.
Special uses for Wind Energy Conversion Systems would only be available in General Agricultural, Light Agricultural and Research Industrial Zoning Districts. All other zoning districts would be off limits for the wind turbines.
They would also have to be at least a half mile from Matteson Lake, Swan Creek, Big Swan Creek, Little Swan Creek and the Saint Joseph River and would have to fully comply with the Branch County Memorial Joint Airport Authority Ordinance. The airport would have to determine if there is no hazard before an approval can be granted by Matteson Township.
Concerned Citizens of Branch County have been opposed to the siting of the wind turbines. They have accused DTE Energy of being unethical, shady and deceptive in their tactics and practices.
The utility has sent a letter to area residents that is signed by Site Manager Jeff Haines. It urges people to pay close attention to the sources of information during discussions on wind energy.
The letter went on to say many reports reflect biased assumptions and rely on non-credible sources which “are often pushed by those who would like wind energy to be seen in an unfavorable light.” Haines added DTE Energy has been siting, developing and wind energy projects in Michigan for more than a decade.
