L'ANSE TOWNSHIP, MI-- A renewable energy developer says it won’t proceed with a wind farm project in L’Anse Township.
Renewable Energy Systems had planned to put 49 wind turbines near the McCormick Wilderness area as part of its Summit Lake Wind project. The site has some of the highest elevations in Michigan.
In a statement RES project manager Sean Stocker says, “After a careful review of several factors, RES has decided to discontinue the development of the Summit Lake Wind project.” He adds “continued delays in the planning process have ceased to make the project financially and logistically viable.”
Local residents are divided on the issue. Some say the project would increase tax revenue, but the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is opposed to the wind farm, as is the group Friends of the Huron Mountains. The group collected signatures from residents to put the issue on the May 7 ballot. It would overturn zoning changes that effectively allow the project to move forward.
The referendum will still be on the ballot.
