We have been working with landowners in Michigan’s Thumb region since early 2007 to acquire wind development rights for future construction and operation of wind farms. DTE Energy has acquired easements to over 80,000 acres of land. Our plan is to begin construction this year, with wind turbines operational by December 2012.

View a map* of DTE Energy wind farms in Michigan's Thumb.

Some of our specific activities to support the development of wind in Michigan's Thumb have included: 

• developing relationships with landowners and managing lease activities 
• installing 6 meteorological (MET) towers used to gather data such wind speed, direction, temperature, pressure, and icing conditions
• performing wildlife studies, including migration analyses
• reviewing local zoning and permitting requirements
• serving on advisory panels, including the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative, Utility Wind Integration Group, and the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board
• hiring an owner's engineer to manage the design and construction process
• performing micrositing studies, assessing the geology of the land

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