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Mason County Keeps Wind Farm Development In Pause

Mason County is not ready for another wind farm, at least not in 2014. County commissioners Tuesday extended their resolution to keep the number of wind turbines at 56 for one more year.

The Lake Winds Energy Park south of Ludington is the source of ongoing disputes. The county says Consumers Energy is violating noise ordinances and needs to address the problem. Consumers challenged those conclusions at a hearing last week. Meanwhile, some neighbors are suing the energy company.

Mason County is also collecting lots of data about the strobe effect known as “shadow flicker” that some neighbors have complained about.

So commissioners think more time will help Mason County better prepare for continued wind development. Commissioner Bill Carpenter asked for the extension of the resolution first passed last December.

"My purpose for pursuing this extension of the temporary halt has to do with giving the planning commission time to digest the lessons of the experiences we’ve had for this year," he says.

The resolution does not use the word moratorium, which is the standard phrase for a temporary ban.  It refers to a halt.

No opposition to extending the halt was voiced. The resolution does refer to lease agreements Consumers has to develop more wind energy in two Mason County townships.

Peter Payette is the Executive Director of Interlochen Public Radio.