Environmental Engineering Reference
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About the authors
received his
Bachelor of Science in education
with a major in economics and minor
in geography and American history
from Central Michigan University.
He received his Master of Arts in
geography and economics in 1975
from Central Michigan University
and conducted post-graduate studies at the University of Calgary,
Alberta, Canada. His principal research was titled “A Framework
for Rural Community Land-Use Decision-Making”.
Steven and his wife of twenty years, Susan Kopka have lived
“of the grid” and “on the grid” integrating solar (electric, thermal
and passive), wind and biomass energy at their home in northern
Leelanau County, Michigan.
Steven formulated and managed the development of the
first community green power wind project in North America, the
Traverse City Light & Power, 600 kW wind turbine, “Green
Rate Wind Project” that became a model for many communities
including Austin, Texas and Colorado. He has been involved in all
aspects of permitting and operating small and large windmills.
Steven led the development and installation of the first
three utility scale wind turbines in Michigan, in Traverse City and
Mackinaw City, Michigan, totalling 400 kW of total electric
capacity.
In 007 he established Heron Wind Manufacturing LLC, a
Michigan-based new commercial wind turbine manufacturing
unit with a target market of community wind power projects. His
firm Smiley Energy Services LLC conducts renewable energy
economic feasibility studies, renewable energy technology transfer,
planning and design and project development services.
Susan J. Kopka
Steven
B.
Smiley
studied landscape architecture at Michigan
State and Ohio State Universities, graduating from OSU with a
Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (BSLA, 1976) and a Master
of Science (1978). While studying at OSU, Susan was a graduate
teaching assistant in landscape architecture and worked for the
Upper Arlington, Ohio Public Parks Department. From 1978 to
1980, Susan was an associate with the multidisciplinary planning
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