By a 6-0 vote, the Mason County Planning Commission approved the special use permit for the $232 million Lake Winds Energy Park to be built by Consumers Energy. The project, to be located in Riverton and Summit townships, will have 56 turbines and produce 100 MW of electricity. Expected to be operational in 2012, White Construction will build the project which will employ Vestas’ V100- 1.8 MW wind turbines. Consumers Energy has signed leases or lease options for 309 parcels, and is considering four alternative layouts for the wind farm. Meanwhile, the company is continuing to develop its 150 MW Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County.