Mackinaw Power pres. says he has plans to expand wind energy.
MARQUETTE -- If you've driven across the Mackinac Bridge since 2001, you've probably noticed the two wind turbines spinning in the breeze.
Rich VanderVeen, President of Mackinaw Power, is the brains behind the turbines, and he was in Marquette Monday evening to introduce the Economic Club of Marquette County to the world of wind energy.
It's called the "Triple Bottom Line of Wind Power," three reasons why wind is the way:
- Bottom line, number one: financial. Building a wind turbine both locks in price and creates jobs.
- Bottom line, number two: social. Wind power reduces our dependence on foreign fuels.
- Bottom line, number three: ecological. Wind power reduces pollution in both air and water.
The turbines may look spooky and futuristic, but according to VanderVeen, they can power entire towns.
"A new, 21st century wind turbine can produce enough power for 500 homes without burning coal, without burning natural gas," explained VanderVeen.
And that's why Tom Baldini and the Economic Club invited VanderVeen to speak Monday evening.
"It begins to take us off of foreign oil. That's obviously what we're looking for. And it's clean; it's very clean once you put it up," said Baldini.
VanderVeen acknowledges that there are people opposed to wind turbines. Some think they're ugly. Some think they're too loud. Some even think they're dangerous for birds. But he points to the future, saying that we need to think about the planet we're leaving to our children and grandchildren. Mackinaw Power put up two turbines right in Mackinaw City in December of 2001, and they're just a sign of what's to come.
"They have been reliable, they've been profitable and they're a pilot program to show people what these wind turbines look like. We like to think we'll be putting up a number of wind turbines in Michigan and across the country in the next year and two and three," VanderVeen added.
He wouldn't reveal exactly where or exactly when more turbines would be springing up in the U.P., but VanderVeen said the Upper Peninsula does have some ideal areas for wind power, and announcements could be coming soon.
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