LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed Executive Order 2009-1, creating the Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory body within the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth that will provide citizens with a public forum to begin to identify where, in the Great Lakes, wind energy systems may be prudently sited.

"The Great Lakes are Michigan's most precious natural resource, and they provide tremendous economic value to the citizens of Michigan," Granholm said.  "The availability, consistency, and velocity of wind in the Great Lakes make their waters uniquely attractive to wind energy developers seeking to build offshore wind energy systems - but we want to make sure we are prudent in this process of approval."

In addition to looking at ways to best engage the people of Michigan in a public dialogue about offshore wind so that statewide interests are considered, the council will identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development.  The council will also identify criteria for mapping areas that should be excluded from offshore wind development and those areas that are most favorable for such development, providing a full report to the governor by September 1, 2009. 

The governor announced the following appointments to the Great Lakes Wind Council: 

Adesoji O. Adelaja, Ph.D. of Okemos, director and founder of the Michigan State University Land Policy Institute and John A. Hannah distinguished professor in land policy, is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

James P. Clift of Lansing, policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council, is appointed to represent statewide environmental organizations for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Frank D. Ettawageshik of Harbor Springs, chair of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, is appointed to represent Native American tribal governments for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Dennis L. Grinold of Lansing, member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association, is appointed to represent the charter fishing industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Curtis A. Hertel, Sr. of Grosse Pointe Woods, executive director of the Detroit-Wayne County Port Authority, is appointed to represent the commercial shipping industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Thomas L. Hickner of Bay City, Bay County executive, is appointed to represent local government officials for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

M. Jack Knowles, III of Ann Arbor, vice president of Dietrich, Bailey and Associates, P.C., is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Steven E. Kurmas of Shelby Township, president and chief operating officer of Detroit Edison, one of three major business units of DTE, is appointed to represent electric utilities for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Marty G. Lagina of Traverse City, chief executive officer of Heritage Sustainable Energy, LLC, is appointed to represent the wind energy development industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

James D. MacInnes of Beulah, chief executive officer and co-owner of Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, is appointed to represent the tourism industry for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

John G. Russell of East Lansing, president and chief operating officer of Consumers Energy, is appointed to represent electric utilities for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Richard F. Vander Veen, III of Lowell, president of Mackinaw Power, is appointed to represent other residents of this state for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

Joseph L. Welch of Monroe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ITC Holdings Corp., is appointed to represent independent electric transmission companies for a term expiring September 1, 2009.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Executive Order 2009-1 is attached.

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