Huron County Daily Tribune

Governor praises Thumb’s efforts

By TRACI L. WEISENBACH, Tribune Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:39 PM EDT

 PIGEON — “This is a window to what Michigan can be.”

That’s what Gov. Jennifer Granholm said about the exciting advancements in alternative energy she witnessed during her visit Monday to the Harvest Wind Farm and Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools . This was her first trip to Huron County since she’s been in office.

Granholm, along with community and business leaders who were instrumental in the Harvest Wind Farm Project, conducted a roundtable discussion on alternative energy at Laker Elementary. State Reps. Terry Brown and Jeff Mayes and state Sen. Jim Barcia also participated in the discussion along with Laker school representatives. Laker Elementary has its own successful wind turbine project made possible by a $265,000 Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Granholm said with increasing fuel costs and increasing demand for energy, Michigan needs to be on the forefront of expanding renewable energy.

“We are in a crisis,” Granholm said. “This is the best time to make the changes necessary to blaze a new path. Because of our history in the auto industry and our geography, we can jump ahead of other states in alternative energy ... Why not have the Thumb be the place for all things green? Change is coming, and you’re showing us how to do it well.”

Rick Free, John Deere Wind Energy market development manager, talked about the process of taking the Harvest Wind Farm — the first commercial-scale wind farm in the state — from a concept to reality. Although the project progressed smoothly overall, Free said there were some challenges involved, such as timing all of the elements involved in getting the project running.

“We in Lansing want to have others learn from your challenges,” Granholm said.

Free noted the Harvest Wind Farm project wouldn’t have been possible without collaborative problem solving with the surrounding community and the community’s stewardship of its resources.

Landowners, who included Wayne Sturm, Terry Sturm and some others, talked about their positive experiences with Michigan Wind LLC and John Deere Wind Energy. They voiced their support of renewable energy and the importance of decreasing dependency on foreign oil. Bob

Krohn, Oliver Township clerk and landowner, and William Renn, Chandler Township supervisor, shared their excitement about their townships being involved in such a progressive project.

Russ Lundberg, Huron County Building and Zoning director, said the project also is an agricultural preservation technique. 

“By having yet another product produced in Huron County , our farm community can preserve its heritage into the future,” he said.

Brown said because Huron County is a pioneer in wind energy, it’s had to work through some issues that will continue to need attention around the state, such as zoning and making sure landowners get an equitable lease when working with wind energy companies.

“We need to make sure our landowners and the community are protected while also promoting economic development,” he said.

Brown said with all of the renewable energy efforts sprouting up in the county, the Thumb could also be called “ Michigan ’s Green Thumb.”

Barcia addressed a comprehensive energy package just passed by the state House that includes an innovative Renewable Portfolio Standard — or RPS — that will ask utility companies to generate more renewable energy and will help jumpstart the growth of alternative energy in Michigan. He’s working with the Senate to move quickly on the package.

He said by 2030, India and China will consume 50 percent of the limited fossil fuel supply, and prices are sure to increase right along with the demand.

“It’s critical that we diversify our energy base. We owe it to our grandchildren,” he said.

Laker Junior High School science teacher Diana Schulz, who has her students do a variety of hands-on projects relating to renewable energy, said Laker students are ahead of their counterparts around the state because of their exposure to alternative energy resources. They’re already garnering an understanding of the importance of developing renewable energy sources and how these sources will benefit the environment and the economy. The students also understand they’ll play an important role in the future of alternative energy. 

Eighth-grader Trevor Lewis, of Pigeon, told the governor today’s students care about oil prices, the environment and the economy — and they know they’ll someday be inheriting the issues their parents are facing today. Lewis said he sees green energy as a wonderful opportunity for today’s students to make a positive difference.

“It opens doors for today’s young people,” he said. 

Granholm was impressed with Lewis’s insightful comments and asked him, “What is your last name?” He told her, and she called him the future “Governor Lewis.”

Kathy Dickens, Laker Junior High principal, said today’s children can actually teach adults about renewable energy just through their enthusiasm. She said she knows children often go home to their parents and inform them about what they’ve learned about the benefits of renewable energy and how everyone can play a part in preserving the environment.

“If we can plant the seeds in children’s minds about renewable energy, it trickles up through the generations,” Dickens said. “It all starts with our young people who learn it, talk it, and spread the word.”

She said Huron County isn’t just focusing on wind — solar and biomass projects are under way and can provide great learning opportunities for children and adults alike.

 
Granholm said to prepare for the jobs that renewable energy will produce, today’s students need to focus on science, engineering and math, and they have to go beyond high school for their education. She said the state’s goal is to double the amount of college graduates, which will help make Michigan more competitive in the future.

After the roundtable concluded, Granholm headed outside with elementary students and talked to some Laker student reporters, along with other journalists. She gave a “high five” to several dozen elementary students before heading over to the high school for an assembly for junior high and high school students.

 “I hope you understand how special it is what’s happening here,” Granholm said of the wind energy project next door.  

Along with doing a bit of Michigan trivia with students — and teacher Shane Yoder — she urged students to work toward making the state a better place to live in for their children and grandchildren, and she reminded them that they are the future leaders that will be making everything happen.

“Go for it!” she said.

She received a standing ovation after the assembly.

After her visit to Lakers, Granholm went to a campaign fund-raiser event for Brown at Country Gardens in Pigeon.

In an interview with the Huron Daily Tribune Monday evening, Granholm said she was impressed by the community’s pride and its special position in leading the state in renewable energy — and how the county has faced challenges head on.

“What also struck me is the fact that the kids understand the specialness of this project,” she added.

Granholm said she really enjoyed the “great spirit” displayed by the community and she loved the graciousness of the Laker Schools. She received a number of gifts at the elementary and high schools, which were presented to her by students. 

Granholm said the goal of her Monday visit was to show the rest of the state that wind power is something a community can be proud of. She also wanted to ease the fear and curtail the negative stereotypes that can hold communities back from exploring wind energy.

“They’re very peaceful and graceful structures,” Granholm said of the turbines. “They’re very symbolic of a community that wants to make itself independent (from using non-renewable energy).”

She also wanted to show the rest of the state that the sizable turbines require plenty of manufacturing, and because of Michigan ’s strong manufacturing history, the state could very well be an epicenter for turbine production. This in turn would create viable jobs for the skilled Michigan workforce. She said others in the state don’t realize that the top portion of the turbine carries 250,000 pounds of components, “and these components need to be manufactured somewhere.” 

Wind energy isn’t the only viable option for Michigan , she said. The state’s wide agricultural base will enable the state to grow its own biofuels, which can be used in hybrid vehicles that also can be manufactured in Michigan . The possibilities in alternative energy are vast, and Michigan has all the right components to take advantage of these opportunities now and in the future.