In November a bipartisan group of four state legislators introduced a bill to set new rules for permitting and regulating offshore wind farms in Michigan’s Great Lakes. Based on recommendations from the 29-member Great Lakes Wind Council, the bill would have required at least four public hearings on projects, prohibited wind turbines within six miles of shore without the consent of the county board, created an absolute three-mile buffer from shore, established areas off limits to development, and set guidelines for leasing lake bottomlands for wind projects. Hearings were held November 30, with the State Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Manufacturers Association voicing opposition. No action was taken prior to the end of the 2010 legislative session.