Study: Offshore wind development would not harm tourism

A Grand Valley State University study group that has been looking at potential wind power development in West Michigan has concluded that though offshore wind turbines in Lake Michigan may deter some visitors they may attract others.

There are no offshore wind farms in the U.S. so the GVSU West Michigan Wind Assessment looked to Europe for evidence of the impact on tourism.

The county commissions in Mason and Oceana Counties formally opposed a Norwegian company’s plans to put hundreds of wind turbines in Lake Michigan last year amid vocal concerns over the esthetics of the proposal.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports:

… the study determined that offshore wind turbines — with current technology — would likely need to be located within view of the shore because water depths in Lake Michigan increase rapidly from the beach line. That is especially true directly off the coast from Muskegon, where acceptance of offshore wind development seems to be greater than in other lakeshore communities in West Michigan.

As for sound, the study found the audible and inaudible sound waves created by a spinning wind turbine can be amplified when the turbine is on water rather than on land. However, the researchers found that turbine sounds likely would never be heard on shore if located six miles out on the lake.

Gov. Snyder has said that he is open to the possibility of allowing wind farms in the Great Lakes. Republicans from West Michigan have proposed banning such development.