The scene in the AP photo at left is from the North Sea, but some envision a similar sight in Lake Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, however, such a move is not without controversy, regardless of the ability to generate power. Some don’t like the aesthetics, others fear for migratory birds getting whacked by turbine blades, and then there is the disruption to the lake bed when planting foundations for turbines that can be 400 feet high.

What’s the real potential of using such technology in a practical way? A test study is underway near Cleveland. It will be interesting to watch forces square off in coming years as the data sets are analyzed and emotions begin to shape arguments.