BAD AXE -- It was standing room only during a Huron County Planning Commission public hearing Tuesday night as another discussion ensued about wind energy development. Area residents learned of DTE Energy and Heritage Sustainable Energy’s joint venture to develop two “Wind Energy Overlay Districts”, in Bloomfield, Rubicon, Sigel and McKinley Townships. 

John Deere Wind Energy already operates several wind turbines in the Ubly-area, and residents near that region call them noisy health hazards.   “Sometimes it can sound like a helicopter hovering over,” said Bob McLean of Huron County.  “Other days it can sound like a jet coming in for a landing that never gets there or never lands.”

He said much of the noise has led residents to lose sleep.  However, others say there is no problem. 

“We have a turbine that’s 975 feet from our bedroom window and if everything is quiet, you can barely hear a thing,” said Eric Hagen.  Hagen owns property with several turbines on it. 

Meanwhile the DTE Energy/HSE project entered what officials called the first phase as residents posed questions to commissioners mulling exact locations for new turbines.  DTE officials said they will work with residents on noise concerns and other issues, with hopes of turbine development by 2012. 

“There are ways to deal with with things like noise, wildlife and sight lines,” said Matt Wagner, Manager of Wind Site Development for DTE Energy. “We will step through this in the appropriate manner,” he said.  No decision was made at Tuesday’s meeting.  Negotiations will continue.