LANSING Seems appropriate with all the windy politicians in Lansing that Michigan State University has been awarded a $75,000 grant by the Energy Department to assist Michigan farmers with wind energy development opportunities.
The grant was announced Monday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and David Hollister, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, an ex politician himself.
Wind energy can diversify our energy resource base, help reduce pollution caused by fossil fuels, and provide much-needed cost savings or revenue for farmers, Granholm said in a press release.
Michigan State University and county extension offices will assist farmers to evaluate the economics of installing their own wind generators or leasing their land for commercial wind generators.
Michigan State University will receive a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant of $75,000 to:
Adapt existing wind energy materials to the needs of Michigan farmers
work intensively with early adopters, develop a computer model for evaluating the economics and risks of a wind power investment, conduct workshops on wind power, and support travel to wind generator sites so farmers can see wind generators in operation.
A $15,000 DOE grant to the Grand Traverse County Extension Office will provide financial support for county staff to be active in the state program.
Wind energy is the fastest-growing renewable energy resource in the world today, Hollister said. We need to help our agricultural community evaluate this local, clean energy resource.
For more information, click on Michigan.Gov.Com
