Interested Parties/Stakeholders

Local/Regional

The Scandia Wind Offshore partners are in a regular dialog with the community and business leaders in Ottawa and Muskegon counties regarding the Aegir Project proposal and its impacts.  The early-stage development process continues -- communicating the proposal’s technical features and compelling prospects for job creation as further studies are being considered.  The stakeholder list includes many groups with commercial and recreational interest in the area land and water, such as:  Native tribes, tourists, cottage owners, business owners, fishermen/women, boaters, sunset viewers, environmentalists, etc.

State of Michigan

State government officials have been progressive and proactive in their approach to developing offshore wind energy. Michigan has a 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to be met by 2015. Additionally, the Michigan Great Lakes Wind (GLOW) Council was organized with the express purpose of advancing offshore wind farm development in the state. This group has been preparing Michigan as it seeks to diversify its methods of energy production while reducing the need to import fossil fuel-based resources for energy production and consumption.

The GLOW Council and the State of Michigan appear determined to participate in offshore wind farm development in the Great Lakes. An interesting confluence of events to consider in Michigan:  an aging fleet of power plants, critical planning regarding the state’s future energy mix, the RPS, and the prospect of significant job creation combine to make offshore wind farm development a compelling business proposition for the local area and the state.

Federal

Offshore wind farm development is consistent with the national initiatives to produce clean, renewable energy reduce in order to our carbon footprint and is considered a matter of national security.

Who will be first in the U.S. Great Lakes?

There are distinct advantages to being first with respect to gaining market share in the offshore wind farm industry—an “industrial cluster” could result—to participate in the supply chain and services that accompany large wind farm developments. Who will get into position to lead the wind industry’s growth in the Great Lakes?

GLOW Report 09/01/09