Michigan Department of Natural Resources Building at 1515 N. Johnson St
City's First Large Scale Windmill Awaits Planning Commission Approval
DNR Proposal for New Office Building Seen Under Consideration June 17
May 14, 2009
By: Dave Rogers
A 150-foot high windmill, rivaling the tallest structures in Bay City, is now planned for the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources Building at 1515 N. Johnson St.
The windmill is projected to be operational by July and requires special use approval from the city planning commission.
Previous plans had called for a 120-foot high windmill, expected to cost about $250,000 and be funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Original plans specified a 50-kilowatt turbine aimed at generating about 12.5 percent of the energy needed for the 25,000 square foot building.
Actual statistics about the windmill will not be available until plans are submitted to the city planning commission, hopefully by next Friday, May 22, according to Robert V. Belleman, city manager.
The DNR windmill will launch a new era in energy production in the city and the height of the structure will be nearly equal to that of the tower of City Hall and the top of the nine-story Bay County Building.
The windmill will rise far above the east end of the parking lot of the new $6 million DNR building. The state will lease the building from ProVisions of Bingham Farms. The DNR will share space with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
City Planner Jim Bedell, noting that the city zoning ordinance has been amended to include regulations for wind energy conversion systems, said "staff is eagerly awaiting the first application for this new technology. We are aware of smaller systems that are being explored by the private sector for residences and industries."
Plans for other windmills have been projected by Glenn Fonzi of Affordable Green Energy (AGE), whose factory is located in the Essexville Industrial Park on Pine Street Road in Essexville.
In a meeting with county officials recently, Mr. Fonzi projected windmill projects at the Essexville City Hall, and discussions were held about windmills at the county building, the county golf course and other locations.
County Executive Thomas L. Hickner, a member of the Governor's Wind Council, is on the inside of planning for windmill development across the state.
Mr. Hickner said plans are being explored for offshore wind generators, including in Michigan, to meet President Obama's goal of 25 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2030.