Some Huron County Residents Oppose Wind Turbine Growth

BAD AXE, Mich. (AP) - Some people living in Michigan's Thumb region are opposing an increasing number of wind turbines going up.

The Huron Daily Tribune in Bad Axe reports that there are 328 turbines already in Huron County and that number could top 500 this year as developers plan more.

Oliver Township resident Margo Barry told county planners at a meeting Wednesday that the "quality of life has been taken away" from people living in the area and "replaced with a pollution of never-ending noise, shadow flicker, red blinking lights and health issues for many."

Building and Zoning Director Jeff Smith said the county's wind energy ordinance is "reasonable" and is "in place to protect people."

Many landowners have leased their land for turbines to utilities and developers.