{"id":130025,"date":"2024-01-11T17:30:27","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T22:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/?p=130025"},"modified":"2024-01-24T10:26:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T15:26:27","slug":"the-hidden-agenda-behind-opposition-to-great-lakes-wind-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/the-hidden-agenda-behind-opposition-to-great-lakes-wind-power\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Agenda Behind Opposition to Great Lakes Wind Power"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

<\/a>-Updated 01\/24\/2023 – <\/strong>The Detroit Free Press<\/em> reports<\/a> that a group called Citizens for Local Choice is attacking Michigan’s wind power projects. The Bridge<\/a><\/em> says<\/a>\u00a0the group is an offshoot of Our Home, Our Voice. Leadership includes Kevon Martis, a Lenawee County commissioner and fellow with the Energy & Environment Legal Institute<\/a>, a conservative think tank that opposes renewable energy. The group was incorporated<\/a> in Michigan in Feb. 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

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Offshore wind power development in the Great Lakes region has potential. With its 3,288 miles of shorelines along four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan could emerge as a leader in the green energy market. The consistent winds across the Great Lakes offer the opportunity to power offshore wind turbines. They could generate over 570 Gigawatts<\/a> of green energy. Michigan could become a net exporter of green energy to the rest of the country. Estimates from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory<\/a> (NREL) suggest that offshore power could generate over 18 times Michigan’s annual needs<\/a>. Despite the abundant natural resources and potential economic benefits, no commercial wind turbines have been installed. Why is that?<\/p>\r\n

Policymakers are Afraid of Wind Power<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"Doug Bessette<\/a>\u00a0is a professor of community sustainability at Michigan State University<\/a>. He studies the acceptance of renewables. The Professor told<\/a> Public News Service<\/a> Michigan is no closer to ramping up the technology than it was 10 years ago. Mr. Bassest continued,<\/p>\r\n

“I think a lot of policymakers are hesitant to get offshore wind attached to their name because it’s such a controversial technology. I think people are afraid to push it forward.”<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Why is off-shore wind power controversial? The Climate and Development Lab<\/a> (CDL) at Brown University<\/a> may have one answer: Greed. In Against the Wind: A Map of the Anti-Offshore Wind Network in the Eastern United States<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/a>, the CDL studied the opposition to offshore wind power and found some familiar names.<\/p>\r\n

Dark Money<\/h3>\r\n

\"Shedding<\/a>Dark money is a term that refers to political spending by groups that do not disclose their donors. This makes it difficult to trace the source and influence of their money. Dark money affects democracy in several ways.<\/p>\r\n