Wind turbines being tested first

  "Right now we have both towers stacked and ready to go.  Unit one is right now in the process of undergoing a series of electrical tests to make sure everything is functioning well," says Bruce Correll, the Stoney Corners Wind Farm Project Manager.  The Stoney Corners Wind Farm near McBain is almost finished.  "As far as fully operational, it may be early next week," says Correll.  The wind farm which is owned by Heritage Sustainable Energy consists of two wind turbines that will provide enough energy every year to power 1,000 homes.  "Number one, it's green energy.  We need it.  It's just clean and to me they look great.  They're like a work of art on the landscape.  Better than a smoke stack," says Correll.  Project Manager Bruce Correll says once the turbines are creating energy, it will be a major step forward towards Michigan's goal of being the renewable energy leader.  "We're actually behind a lot of the western states, New York State.  I believe Pennsylvania.  We're catching up.  But the communities acceptance really helps."

  Correll says these wind turbines can create electricity in winds of just eight miles an hour.  But for now the wind turbines remain still as crews were more than 300 feet off the ground running tests on the machines.  Crews use an elevator in the tower to get to the top and check the wind turbine.  "It's great.  You can see for several miles.  You can see all the way into Cadillac.  It's exhilarating," says Rick Rumsey of Barton Mallow.