Residents, community planners, leaders, and zoning officials will be able to learn more about planning for and regulating wind energy development in their municipalities at a Wind Energy Siting and Policy Issues workshop in St. Ignace Tuesday, August 19.

Organized by Mackinac County's Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) office, the seminar is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Little Bear East Conference Center.

The workshop's focus is on wind energy issues and how the renewable energy source could play a part in local municipalities. The workshop will address policies, zoning ordinances, and regulations communities may want to put in place regarding the establishment of wind energy facilities as companies and landowners consider wind energy development.

An introduction will be offered on the common types of wind power systems and their facilities.

Information will provide an overview for communities on what can be expected if wind energy and wind energy facilities are established.

Also, the workshop will provide information on policies necessary to implement a plan for wind energy development.

Discussions will include the impact a wind facility would have on local communities.

The instructor for the workshop will be Dr. Mary Ann Heidemann, who has 30 years of experience in assisting Michigan communities with zoning, planning, economic development, and environmental impact issues.

The cost is $55 per person, $45 for Master Citizen Planners, and $45 per person for groups of four or more from the same organization or municipality.

For more information and to register, call Michelle Walk, MSUE director, at 643-7307.