Speaker on Common Sense Regulation of Industrial Wind Turbines
On Thursday July 22, 2021, in the South Range Elementary School, the Guardians hosted a guest speaker who spoke to, and answered questions from, 120 citizens who came to learn about common sense regulation of industrial wind turbines.
To listen to Mr. Martis’s talk, go to this web site. The talk is only 30 minutes and is followed by lots of great Q&A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTrjVzsUryk
About the Speaker. Kevon Martis is current zoning administrator of Deerfield Township in Lenawee County He is also the executive director of the Interstate Informed Citizen's Coalition (IICC) of Blissfield, MI. The IICC is a bipartisan network of grass roots community groups from across the Midwest who live on the front lines of industrial wind development. Mr. Martis regularly testifies on energy policy matters in both the Michigan and Ohio legislatures and before groups as diverse as the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, the Audubon Society and the Urban League of Detroit. Mr. Martis has become a trusted resource for communities wrestling with wind energy regulatory issues. Over the past 9 years he has testified in dozens of local hearings and traveled the US from Montana to Washington DC and from Michigan to Kentucky.
Local Control of Our Health and Well-Being. In regards to local regulations, the decision is really coming down to whether we want land use decided by local residents, or politicians in Lansing & Washington D.C. or out of state and out of country investors who don’t live here and really care most about their pockets, not ours? Local regulations can be very limited, what we refer to as “business as usual” in terms of how we currently enjoy our home, farm, business, and other property (and how they will use and enjoy it in the future). The Guardians view local regulations as local government allowing business as usual for local residents and taking control of local decision making on land use to secure our way of life, not leaving those decisions to to Lansing, Washington DC, and out of state and out of country developers and investors.
Guardians in the News
Guardians in the news includes the latest coverage on the fight to protect our health and historical, cultural, resources from industrial wind turbines. Find news stories, TV and radio coverage, podcasts, and other presentations here.
July 29, 2022 The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge are celebrating their one year anniversary! They want to thank all their supporters and invite everyone who wants to learn how to prevent the installation of 575-ft tall wind turbines in the Copper Country. Join the Guardians for an evening of music (Featuring the area's favorite country music artist Tom Katalin. Guest appearance by WMPL Radio Host Kris Kyro). Bid on silent auction items and purchase baked goods for the weekend.
Event is from 6-9 p.m. at the South Range Community Hall, Trimountain Ave, South Range
The event is also a GET OUT THE VOTE Concert for voting YES in Stanton Township for a local controlled planning commission to protect resident’s health and the local natural environment (and a township supervisor to lead that effort).
June 22, 2022 TV6 report on Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge caution about scenic pollution from turbine construction https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/06/22/guardians-keweenaw-ridge-caution-about-scenic-pollution-turbine-construction/
June 21, 2022. Keweenaw Report coverage of skyline disruptions from visual analysis of proposed wind turbines. http://www.keweenawreport.com/news/local-news/keweenaw-ridge-guardians-plot-turbine-skyline-disruptions/
February 11, 2022. ABC 10 News coverage of Guardians’ multiple concerns over local industrial wind development. https://abc10up.com/2022/02/11/guardians-of-the-keweenaw-ridge-still-express-concerns-over-wind-development/
February 10, 2022. Presentation by Guardians’ secretary to the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) on environmental issues associated with industrial wind projects. https://www.facebook.com/upenvironment/videos/1442559696141539
Feburary 9, 2022. TV6 coverage of Guardians response to Circle Power’s presentation at the Keweenaw Alliance Breakfast Meeting (CIrcle Power paid for the breakfast) https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/02/09/circle-power-speaks-houghton-community-about-scotia-wind-project/
February 9, 2022. Daily Mining Gazette reports the Adams Township Board unanimously approved a new zoning ordinance for the township Monday night. Guardians quoted as being “supportive of the township putting in an ordinance that not only shows local control over protection of historical and cultural resources, it also was intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of community residents.” https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2022/02/adams-township-approves-zoning-plan/ or https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/02/09/adams-township-approves-zoning-plan/
February 8, 2022. ABC 10 News Coverage of new zoning ordinance in Adams Township that gives the township and their residents more control over local land use. https://abc10up.com/2022/02/09/adams-townships-new-zoning-affects-circle-power-and-the-scotia-wind-farm/
February 8, 2022. Keweenaw Report story on Adams Township board action on their planning commission’s draft zoning ordinance. With the unanimous support of the room, the township accepted the new proposed zoning. http://www.keweenawreport.com/news/adams-township-approves-new-zoning-ordinance/
February 5, 2022. Mining Journal article on Adams Township Planning Commission Public Hearing. “Local control over land use will be developed and monitored by local residents and business owners who raise their families, go to school and church, work and recreate here, not outside interests who don’t live here and don’t appreciate and love the many great attributes of our township like we do…” “The Planning Commission has made it clear in our meetings that we have zero interest in changing the way of life of residents and business owners. We just want to protect it.” https://www.miningjournal.net/news/2022/02/adams-township-holds-zoning-ordinance-hearing/
February 4, 2022. Guardians’ Treasurer hosted for one hour WMPL 920 Friday morning show to discuss adverse impacts of industrial wind turbines to local residents health and well-being.
February 2, 2022. Letter to Editor appeared in the Ontonagon Herald that exposed the many economic falsehoods in Circle Power’s promises of local tax revenues for their proposed industrial wind turbine factory.
January 31, 2022. Mining Journal article showcasing Guardians push back against unsubstantiated and false claims made by Circle Power and its consultants. https://www.miningjournal.net/news/2022/01/wind-turbine-plans-continued/
January 29, 2022. News story in Copper Beacon on Circle Power’s fancy mailing that “whose points are rather poorly sourced, and all of the information comes straight from the business that stands to profit most from public approval of this project.” https://www.copperbeacon.org/p/circle-power-makes-an-end-run-around?utm_source=url
January 29, 2022. Guardians dispute CIrcle Power’s economic claims for a proposed industrial wind factory in Adams Township.
https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2022/01/circle-power-continues-wind-turbine-plans/ or https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/01/29/circle-power-continues-wind-turbine-plans/
January 28, 2022. Daily Mining Gazette story on negative impacts of industrial wind turbines on wildlife and hunting. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/local-news/2022/01/circle-powers-new-proposal-for-wind-turbines-impact-on-wildlife/ or https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/01/29/circle-powers-new-proposal-for-wind-turbines-impact-on-wildlife/
January 24, 2022. Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge provide reasons why a failed new proposal will not benefit local residents. http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/guardians-of-the-keweenaw-ridge-react-to-latest-scotia-wind-farm-push/
January 22, 2022. ABC 10 news showcases Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge continued push back against Circle Power. https://abc10up.com/2022/01/25/guardians-of-the-keweenaw-ridge-continue-to-push-back-against-circle-power/
January 19, 2022. The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge are interviewed by TV6 in Marquette. They present the facts on false promises made by the wind developer on a new proposal to place twelve 575-foot industrial wind turbines in Adams Township. Issues discussed are false promises of local tax revenues, lower electrical rates, jobs, and impacts on local wildlife. https://www.facebook.com/uppermichiganssource/videos/683423125990580/
January 15, 2022. Daily Mining Gazette Article summarize year of opposition to Circle Power plans to place twelve 575-foot industrial wind turbines along the Keweenaw Ridge.
https://www.mininggazette.com/news/local-news/2022/01/yir-wind-turbine-project-draws-pushback/
or https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/01/16/yir-wind-turbine-project-draws-pushback/
January 10, 2022. TV6 coverage of one of several public meetings held in Adams Township to seek common sense regulations of industrial wind turbine factories. https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/01/11/adams-township-seeks-community-approval-proposed-wind-farm-project/
November 16, 2021. Letter to the Editor, Why I wouldn’t allow Circle Power turbines https://www.mininggazette.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2021/11/why-i-wouldnt-allow-circle-power-turbines/
October 13, 2021. Daily Mining Gazette article reports on overwhelming local opposition to industrial wind turbines. “The nays have it: Stanton Township survey finds 83% opposed to wind turbines.”
October 8, 2021. TV6 Marquette coverage of continued local opposition to industrial wind turbines. https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2021/10/08/townships-remain-against-windmills/
October 6, 2021. The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge released a statement saying that Circle Power’s tactic to FOIA the Adams Township regarding local planning represented an attempt at intimidation.http://www.keweenawreport.com/news/circle-power-explains-its-reasoning-behind-foia-request/
October 6, 2021. Wind developer shifts all turbine project. All twelve industrial turbines now planned for Adams Township (just across border from Stanton Township).
August 20, 2021. Adams Township Board voted unanimously to impose a six-month moratorium on approving applications for commercial wind and solar projects. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/08/hitting-pause-adams-township-adopts-six-month-wind-solar-moratorium/
August 18, 2021. Dangers of wind turbines to local wildlife discussed Monday. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/08/dangers-of-wind-turbines-discussed-monday/
August 16, 2021. At this event in Stanton Township, the Guardians hosted a guest speaker who educates the audience on the unique raptor, waterbird, other bird species, and bats that inhabit and migrate along, and over, the Keweenaw Ridge. We were excited to host Mr. Joseph Youngman as a guest speaker. He is a well-known birding expert. His accomplishments are many but in short, Mr. Youngman initiated the Manitou Island Bird Survey, helped to advance the Keweenaw Raptor Survey, and has counted waterbirds in Freda and other locations of Lake Superior. His efforts have led to a greater understanding of breeding birds in the Keweenaw and efforts to identify specific pathways of migrating waterbirds and raptors through the Lake Superior basin.
Watch Mr. Youngman’s talk here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCxGyVsB8XQ&t=2014s courtesy of the Copper Beacon, https://www.copperbeacon.org/s/about-copper-beacon
August 7, 2021. Stanton Township Board imposes a nine-month moratorium on construction of industrial wind turbine projects https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/08/stanton-township-passes-moratorium-on-wind/
August 4, 2021. Local opposition continues at Adams Township Board meeting regarding Circle Power’s decision to not halt their plans. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/08/circle-power-no-decision-on-appeal-of-permit-denial/
August 4, 2021. Several state and federal agencies are opposed to a wind farm proposed for Adams and Stanton Townships. United States Fish and Wildlife Service recommended against a previous plan for the location as early as 2017. In its conclusion then, the agency wrote, “Based on our review of the information currently available concerning wildlife use of the Keweenaw Peninsula, we recommend identifying an alternative project site…”http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/scotia-wind-farm-permit-denied/
August 3, 2021. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Water Resources Division (WRD) determines the Scotia Wind project did not benefit the public enough to outweigh potential impact to wildlife and wetlands at the site. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/08/egle-denies-permit-for-wind-turbine-project/
July 27, 2021. More than 100 people turned out Thursday night in South Range to listen to talk on the best legal steps for stopping wind development in the area. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/07/speaker-gives-tips-for-anti-wind-zoning/
July 8, 2021. Coverage by ABC 10 News in Marquette on Guardians and their reasons to support local government and oppose industrial wind turbines in Stanton and Adams Townships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMUGvLJG9H4&t=2s
July 7, 2021. TV6 coverage of Stanton Township Board meeting showing township residents continued opposition to industrial wind turbines and formation of Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge. https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2021/07/08/stanton-twp-residents-battle-circle-power/
July 12, 2021. Copper Country Today interviews the secretary of a new nonprofit named The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge that was formed in response to the proposed wind development in Adams and Stanton Townships. https://anchor.fm/copper-country-today/episodes/Copper-Country-Today-07-12-21-Guardians-of-the-Keweenaw-Ridge-e14aji3
July 8, 2021. The Keweenaw Report covers the Guardians presentation to the Stanton Township Board. Their goal was to let theBoard know that we have services available; technical, scientific, business, and they also have an attorney hired now. The Guardians wishes to work with the board to develop common-sense regulations for industrial wind turbine factories. http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/new-nonprofit-formed-to-fight-proposed-turbine-project/
July 8, 2021. The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge introduce themselves to the Stanton Township Board and comment on their interest in supporting local government in shaping local decision making related to a proposed industrial wind development. http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/new-nonprofit-formed-to-fight-proposed-turbine-project/
June 19, 2021. About 40 people attended a public meeting held by the Stanton Township board on a proposed industrial wind development. Attendees were united in their opposition to the proposed project.
June 17, 2021. The proposed wind farm project in Adams and Stanton Townships was the cause for a long public comment session at Tuesday’s Houghton County Board of Commissioners meeting. All input was negative. http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/community-speaks-against-proposed-wind-farm/
June 12, 2021. Residents learn proposed industrial wind turbine project based on earlier project pursued by Farm Wind Energy that project was scrapped in 2015 after running into a lack of community support. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2021/06/wind-project-proposed-in-adams-stanton-townships/
May 17, 2021. A proposed wind farm in Adams and Stanton Townships is being evaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration for its potential effects on air travel in the region. Plans for a wind farm in 2015 fell through but a new developer is trying to restart the proposed project. http://www.keweenawreport.com/featured/public-comment-welcome-for-adams-township-wind-farm/
October 18, 2018. Proposal to construct an industrial wind factory around Whealkate Bluff is discussed. https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/10/03/2nd-wind-blows-another-adams-farm-considered/
May 9, 2019. Voters in Baraga County defeat proposal to amend L’Anse Township zoning ordinance to allow wind energy projects on commercial forest land. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/2019/05/voters-say-no-to-wind/
2018. Save the Huron Mountains is formed to provide research information and education to support the protection of the wildlife, water, and the forest landscape of the Huron Mountain wilderness, and Michigamme Highlands of Upper Michigan. https://savethehuronmountains.org/
December 21, 2017. Large Industrial Wind Turbine Factory Proposed in Baraga County. L’Anse Township and Baraga Township https://www.mininggazette.com/news/local-news/2017/12/potential-wind-farm-discussed-in-baraga-county/
April 15, 2015. ABC News report from a public meeting in Baltic (Adams Township), concerned citizens packed the township hall to hear a presentation by representatives from Farm Wind Energy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Regional Energy Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jeffrey Gosse explained the negative impact the wind farm could have on migrant birds and bats in the Keweenaw, including the northern long–eared bat, recently listed as a threatened species. https://abc10up.com/2015/04/14/community-rejects-proposed-wind-farm-site/
April 15, 2015. In a move aimed at blocking development of a wind farm on and around Whealkate Bluff, the Adams Township Board voted Monday not to allow turbines closer to homes than originally intended. The move came at the end of a packed meeting in which more than 100 township residents made it clear most would prefer not to see the wind turbines on their skyline. https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/15/township-residents-board-oppose-wind-farm/
April 14, 2015. Adams Township Board will not change ordinance for proposed industrial wind factory. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/local-news/2015/04/adams-twp-won-t-change-ordinance-for-wind-farm/
April 10, 2015. Adams Township Board to host a town hall meeting to discuss the township’s windmill ordinance. https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/10/new-south-range-skyline-adams-town-hall-meet-will-address-windmill-ordinance/
April 8, 2014. Private Developer conducting study to place industrial wind turbines in Adams Township. https://www.mininggazette.com/news/local-news/2014/04/adams-township-discusses-wind-turbines/