By Bob Allen, Michigan Public Radio Network
(Interlochen, MI) – (Interlochen, MI) - MPRN
A Traverse City wind energy company has signed the first long-term contract to sell electricity under Michigan's renewable energy law. Heritage Sustainable Energy will provide green power to Detroit Edison for twenty years.
Company President Marty Lagina says construction has begun to put up seven more wind turbines south of Cadillac. There are already two turbines at that site.
He says, without this kind of long term contract, they wouldn't be putting up new turbines right now: "Obviously it gives us some price stability and lets us obtain the financing we need to put the turbines up."
The new turbines near McBain are expected to generate power by the end of the year.
They will produce a small fraction of the renewable energy Detroit Edison needs to meet state requirements.