UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – A local group opposed to the construction of industrial wind powered turbines in Branch County will be hosting a meeting Thursday night in Union City.
Concerned Citizens of Branch County is inviting the public to join them at the Union City Middle School starting at 7:00 p.m..
Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition Director Kevon Martis is also scheduled to be on hand for Thursday’s. Martis leads a renewable energy watchdog group out of Blissfield.
While there has been much speculation what role Branch County might play in the future wind energy plans for DTE Energy, no hint was given in a filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission back in March.
DTE reportedly has recorded easements on more than 276 parcels of agricultural property in Branch County which could be used for wind turbines. The utility has also signed lease agreements on 22,000 acres of land in the northwest part of the county.
The plan filed with the MPSC calls for doubling the current electric output from carbon free sources. DTE says 1,000 additional megawatts of power will come from two new wind parks and the installation of new solar energy stations. The electricity generated by those will power 800,000 homes.
The information did not contain the location for the two new wind parks but wind parks in Gratiot and Isabella Countys were scheduled to go online this year.
