Great Lakes Offshore Wind Energy
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World class winds over the Great Lakes could be a significant source of clean renewable energy. At the same time, the Great Lakes are unique and valuable ecosystems that must be protected. The Great Lakes Wind Council was tasked with proposing good places for offshore wind development, consistent statewide leasing rules, and provisions for public input. Wil Cwikiel, former Watershed Council Policy Director and current member of the Great Lakes Wind Council explored both the opportunities and threats of offshore wind energy at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s 31st Annual Meeting.
Michigan Environmental Council Policy Director James Clift is also a member of the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Council and answered the following questions regarding wind power. What is the Wind Council? The Great Lakes Offshore Wind Council was created by Governor Granholm in February of 2009 to locate the best potential areas for offshore wind in Michigan, ensure Great Lakes bottomlands are protected, and identify other barriers to offshore wind energy development in Michigan. The Council is made up of a wide range of stakeholders including developers, utilities, recreational users, environmental representatives and many others. |
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When will we see some recommendations?
The council issued its first report on September 1, 2009. It included initial mapping criteria to assess proposals to lease Great Lakes bottomlands, a discussion of current permitting shortfalls, and recommended procedures for engaging the public on the issue. The Governor then extended the life of the council, adding new members and charging the council with finishing the mapping exercise, developing a more comprehensive leasing regulation, and further engaging the public in a discussion on the topic.
The council issued its first report on September 1, 2009. It included initial mapping criteria to assess proposals to lease Great Lakes bottomlands, a discussion of current permitting shortfalls, and recommended procedures for engaging the public on the issue. The Governor then extended the life of the council, adding new members and charging the council with finishing the mapping exercise, developing a more comprehensive leasing regulation, and further engaging the public in a discussion on the topic.
What are the potential benefits of offshore wind in Michigan?
More than 60% of Michigan electricity currently comes from coal-fired power plants. Those plants result in significant public health costs and damage to our natural resources. They also result in billions of dollars a year leaving the state to purchase coal from other states. Offshore wind has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts from power production, create jobs that put our manufacturing base back to work, and keep more of our money in Michigan rather than buying coal from others.
What are the risks or drawbacks?
Offshore wind is a new industry for the Great Lakes, and thus poses some challenges. The first set of risks involves the impact on birds, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems, and bats. Studies in Europe demonstrate that proper location is important and that most species are extremely adaptive to the construction and operation of the wind farms. The legislation recommended by the council requires developers to do a site-specific assessment of their parcel.
The proposed legislation also dedicates the majority of royalties collected for further scientific study and habitat restoration efforts in general. As to the structures themselves, the state can protect itself from other risks by requiring the developer to purchase bonds to ensure structures are maintained and properly removed after their useful life.
The second set of risks involves the economics of the project, such as the amount of power produced and the cost per kilowatt. However, this risk is likely lower than the danger of coal prices escalating sharply in the next decade and causing the same economic disruption as $4 a gallon gasoline did.
Are there places where Michigan should consider not allowing offshore turbines?
Yes, certain areas due to their pristine nature. National lakeshores and wilderness areas should probably be considered off limits. In other areas, the buffer zone from shore will need to be carefully considered to make sure that other uses are not unreasonably impacted. Water depth will be tricky in many areas due to current constraints on turbine placement in water over 50 meters.
More than 60% of Michigan electricity currently comes from coal-fired power plants. Those plants result in significant public health costs and damage to our natural resources. They also result in billions of dollars a year leaving the state to purchase coal from other states. Offshore wind has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts from power production, create jobs that put our manufacturing base back to work, and keep more of our money in Michigan rather than buying coal from others.
What are the risks or drawbacks?
Offshore wind is a new industry for the Great Lakes, and thus poses some challenges. The first set of risks involves the impact on birds, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems, and bats. Studies in Europe demonstrate that proper location is important and that most species are extremely adaptive to the construction and operation of the wind farms. The legislation recommended by the council requires developers to do a site-specific assessment of their parcel.
The proposed legislation also dedicates the majority of royalties collected for further scientific study and habitat restoration efforts in general. As to the structures themselves, the state can protect itself from other risks by requiring the developer to purchase bonds to ensure structures are maintained and properly removed after their useful life.
The second set of risks involves the economics of the project, such as the amount of power produced and the cost per kilowatt. However, this risk is likely lower than the danger of coal prices escalating sharply in the next decade and causing the same economic disruption as $4 a gallon gasoline did.
Are there places where Michigan should consider not allowing offshore turbines?
Yes, certain areas due to their pristine nature. National lakeshores and wilderness areas should probably be considered off limits. In other areas, the buffer zone from shore will need to be carefully considered to make sure that other uses are not unreasonably impacted. Water depth will be tricky in many areas due to current constraints on turbine placement in water over 50 meters.
Photo: Wisconsin Sierra Club
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Where to Learn More About the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council:
Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council website http://www.michiganglowcouncil.org/ Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council Summary of Council's Input: Siting and Regulation of Offshore Wind Energy Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council GLOW presentation for community meetings NOTE: This file is 8.4 MB. If you have a dial-up connection it could take several minutes to download this presentation. |
Memorandum of Understanding
On March 30, 2012, the Obama Administration and Great Lakes states announced an agreement to spur development of offshore wind projects through a multi-state, multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will allow for collaborative efforts between federal and state agencies to review proposed offshore wind projects, develop an action plan establishing priorities, and recommend steps for the evaluation of such projects. The MOU will focus the efforts of key federal and state regulatory agencies to enhance coordination and speed review of potential projects and promote the efficient and responsible development of offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes.
To safely and responsibly develop offshore wind resources, federal and state agencies – which share jurisdiction in the Great Lakes – must fully evaluate the potential social, environmental, safety, and security impacts of projects. The MOU will enhance collaboration between federal and state agencies to accelerate the development of clean, American energy from offshore wind energy resources in the Great Lakes region. Specifically, federal and state agencies will develop an action plan that sets priorities and recommends steps for achieving efficient and responsible evaluation of proposed offshore wind power projects in the Great Lakes region.
According to the Administration's press release, unlocking Great Lakes' offshore wind energy resources could produce more than 700 gigawatts of energy, which is roughly one-fifth of total offshore wind potential in the U.S. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that each gigawatt of offshore wind installed could produce enough electricity to power 300,000 homes.
Click here to read the Fact Sheet
Click here to read the Great Lakes MOU
Click here to read the press release
The following participants have signed the MOU:
On March 30, 2012, the Obama Administration and Great Lakes states announced an agreement to spur development of offshore wind projects through a multi-state, multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will allow for collaborative efforts between federal and state agencies to review proposed offshore wind projects, develop an action plan establishing priorities, and recommend steps for the evaluation of such projects. The MOU will focus the efforts of key federal and state regulatory agencies to enhance coordination and speed review of potential projects and promote the efficient and responsible development of offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes.
To safely and responsibly develop offshore wind resources, federal and state agencies – which share jurisdiction in the Great Lakes – must fully evaluate the potential social, environmental, safety, and security impacts of projects. The MOU will enhance collaboration between federal and state agencies to accelerate the development of clean, American energy from offshore wind energy resources in the Great Lakes region. Specifically, federal and state agencies will develop an action plan that sets priorities and recommends steps for achieving efficient and responsible evaluation of proposed offshore wind power projects in the Great Lakes region.
According to the Administration's press release, unlocking Great Lakes' offshore wind energy resources could produce more than 700 gigawatts of energy, which is roughly one-fifth of total offshore wind potential in the U.S. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that each gigawatt of offshore wind installed could produce enough electricity to power 300,000 homes.
Click here to read the Fact Sheet
Click here to read the Great Lakes MOU
Click here to read the press release
The following participants have signed the MOU:
- State of Illinois
- State of Michigan
- State of Minnesota
- State of New York
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- White House Council on Environmental Quality
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of the Army
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Federal Aviation Administration
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
