The michigan Great Lakes Wind Council: Recommendations for developing offshore wind in the Great Lakes

In early 2008 the State of Michigan conducted a "dry run" to test the permitting processes for two hypothetical 500 MW offshore wind plants. The purpose was to identify how existing laws and regulations would be applied in this situation. The exercise showed that existing policies were not up to the task of permitting offshore wind. For example, it was found that turbine foundation structures would fall under the permitting processes for docks and sea walls, which by law are only valid for riparian land owners. In early 2009 Governor Granholm established the Great Lakes Wind Council to develop policy recommendations that address the identified deficiencies. The Council proposed draft legislation covering permitting guidelines, bottom land leasing and payment structures, and methods for gathering public input on proposed projects. They also developed a map indicating the areas most favorable for wind development as well as areas to be excluded. This presentation will discuss the recommended policy changes as well as the process used to develop them. Legislation based on the Council\´s recommendations was introduced into both houses of Michigan\´s legislature by a bi-partisan group of legislators in November 2010. An update will be given as to the status of this legislation.