NORTHPORT -- The village of Northport is split on the decision of building a wind turbine on property behind their sewage treatment plant.
The LCE has said that the turbine would provide about half of the plant's power, and by generating a gross income of $32,600, taking out annual expenses/operating maintenance of $9,600, the net income of $23,00 would benefit Northport.
In order to get federal tax credits, a group of sixteen investors (13 of which live in Northport or Leelanau Twp, the other three reside in the county) formed a private company to help finance the entire project. The tax credits and incentives would not be an option to the actual village of Northport.
A letter was read from the Leelanau Forum, stating they would like an ordinance in place before the turbine. It also read they would like the environment to be considered (mainly the nearby bald eagle nest) and asking how much the turbine will really save citizens vs. the cost of having and maintaining it.
Liability insurance, appearance, environmental protection, a decommissioning bond, and a property value guarentee were all issues brought up by many against the wind turbine.
Many others, on the other hand, think the turbine is a great idea, and support the growth in clean energy, and point out that other sources of energy-including coal-have been subsidized by the government if need be.
Although the meeting came to an end promptly after an hour, it's clear the village of Northport has a big decision ahead of them and needs more time to weigh the outcome.
