The wind is picking back up on M-72 West in Traverse City. The wind turbine owned by Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) has been sold to Traverse City's Heritage Sustainable Energy, owners of Stoney Corners Wind Farm in McBain. TCL&P decommissioned the turbine in December 2013 – after sitting idle since August 2012 – due to operational and economic issues after providing renewable energy to the area since 1996. It was Michigan's first utility grade wind turbine and at the time was the largest in the United States.

"This was a great opportunity to keep this historic unit in its current location as a landmark gateway to Leelanau County, while continuing to provide renewable energy to the community," says TCL&P Executive Director Tim Arends.

Since 2009, TCL&P has purchased power from five 2-megawatt wind turbines near Cadillac that are owned by Heritage.

"We are proud to have teamed up with TCL&P to keep providing green energy directly into the Traverse City market," says Marty Lagina, CEO of Heritage Sustainable Energy. The unit is expected to be fully operational by the first of the year.