The special-use application submitted in 2008 by White Pines Wind Farm, a subsidiary of BP Alternative Energy, to the U.S. Forest Service called for construction of 20 to 28 wind turbines on the forest land north of Forest Trail in Mason County’s Grant Township. The 420-foot-tall turbines would have combined to produce up to 70 megawatts, enough to supply 20,000 homes.
According to a press release issued Wednesday by the U.S. Forest Service, BP Alternative Energy decided not to proceed with the proposed project as a result of the company’s review of recent wind resource data and developments in the market for wind-generated energy.
The proposed wind farm generated both positive and negative comments during public open houses in Ludington and Manistee in 2008. Supporters mentioned the expected need for alternative energy sources and opponents mainly voiced concerns over putting turbines in a national forest.
Proposed wind-energy developments have produced a region-wide conversation over recent months. Much of the debate has centered on Scandia Wind’s proposal for offshore wind farms in Lake Michigan off Grand Haven and Ludington.
Mason County seems to be an ideal location for prospective developers. In addition to the Scandia and BP proposals, Consumers Energy has proposed a 100-megawatt land-based wind farm in various locations in Mason County.
