LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad, along with his legislative colleagues, sent a letter to the Michigan Public Service Commission requesting that the commission consider the strong public opposition to a pending solar development in Ottawa County and the impact such a large-scale development would have on the county’s farmland and way of life.

“As the public’s opposition to data centers continues to balloon, we’re seeing an overwhelming push for local control and for residents to have a say in what goes on in their backyards,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “I believe the public should have that same level of concern when it comes to razing Michigan’s pristine farmland to build solar farms.”

RWE Americas, a foreign-owned company, is attempting to build a nearly 1,900-acre, 200-megawatt solar facility across Zeeland and Jamestown townships. Local officials were working on a renewable energy development ordinance, while also working with RWE in good faith as plans for the development continued.

Instead, RWE chose to bypass local authority and seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission, as allowed under Public Act 233 of 2023, which was part of the Democratic-led legislation regarding renewable energy and developments. Previously, local entities could craft ordinances outlining zoning and guidelines for such developments, but PA 233 allows developers to bypass local opinions and concerns and appeal directly to the state commission.

The letter also included support from state Sens. Roger Victory; Joe Bellino, R-Monroe; Ruth Johnson, R-Holly; Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes; and Lana Theis, R-Brighton.

“We’re going to do everything we can to continue fighting this at all levels,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville, who has strongly backed the local opposition and whose district is home to the proposed Silver Maple Solar Project development site. “We cannot let a foreign entity barge into West Michigan and dig up this highly productive farmland to build a massive industrial site.

“That type of development brings with it a change to our rural communities that cannot be undone.”

Runestad placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of Lansing Democrats who he says forced these changes without listening to the people they represent back home.

“The only reason this is even a discussion is because of the Democrats’ force-fed pipe dream of green energy across the board,” Runestad said. “When they passed these overreaching bills, they purposely included language that removed the decision-making process from local governments because they knew no one wants these developments in their communities — and few, if any, of them would happen without the state strong-arming locals into acceptance.

“I think this issue perfectly illustrates why we need to repeal those laws and reestablish sensible, local policies that allow communities to decide what goes on in their backyards.”

###

Editor’s note: A copy of the letter to the MPSC is attached to this email for your review.