Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

November 16, 2009

In Business: Energy windfall

By BILL O'BRIEN

MCBAIN -- Big blades whir in this small dairy farming community, fanning a new generation of green energy production in northern Michigan.

Heritage Sustainable Energy is powering up more wind turbines at its 2,000-acre-plus Stoney Corners Wind Farm outside of McBain. Utilities across the state and region have taken notice, and are lining up to buy renewable energy.

The Traverse City-based company inked a 20-year deal with Detroit Edison to sell Stoney Corners wind power, and nears an energy sales agreement with Traverse City Light & Power Co.

Other Michigan utilities also expressed interest in buying Stoney Corners green power, and the site is expected to grow into a $50 million development over the next two years.

"It's been a really good experience," project manager Rick Wilson said. "We're happy with everything down there."

The wind farm also is generating much-needed revenue to local farmers who've leased parts of their agricultural land for the project, helping them through tough times in the dairy industry.

Utility officials and farmers talk about the wind farm's impact on operations in today's Business section »

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