Lake Odessa is Concerned About Wind Turbines; Should Lakeshore?

LAKE ODESSA, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Apr. 8, 2025) – Could wind turbines come to the Lakeshore?

This question comes after the Lake Odessa Township board voted to reject an application permit from Cordelio Energy for a temporary testing facility at an already-operating wind turbine in the Ionia County community. Residents spoke in opposition to the wind turbine for over an hour last night, as one person claiming it would “shut the town down,” while another feared that “this beautiful land is being forfeited so the city can get some more power.”

As for seeing the landscape locally become dotted with these wind turbines, which rise on average between 250 and 500 feet into the air, as it does already in areas such as Gratiot County near Alma, Ottawa County District 1 Commissioner Jim Barry of Park Township has his doubts.

While Lake Odessa’s decision was symbolic in nature, as the Ionia County Building Department approved the turbine last year without the township’s approval, Cordelio will likely go through the Michigan Public Service Commission to get this testing permit.