- About 200 neighbors here in Hillsdale County came to a Fayette Township Board meeting Monday night — many speaking against a proposed new solar project in their neighborhood.
- The Board met at Jonesville High School to accommodate the turnout.
- "Heartwood 2" is what Chicago-based Ranger Power is calling the proposed expansion of its solar project across Eastern Fayette Township.
About 200 Hillsdale County neighbors came to the Fayette Township Board Meeting Monday night — many to speak out about a proposed expansion of a solar project in their neighborhood.
Speaker after speaker urged the Board to say no to the project.
SEE THE VIDEO:
Some two dozen neighbors speaking during public comment — not a single one in favor of more solar in Fayette Township.
"So, I used to have a beautiful view for over 30 years. And now all I get to look at is solar panels," said one.
Another said: "We've seen nothing but our energy bills increase year after year, so as far as this green energy saving us money — I haven't seen it."
Some citing environmental concerns and loss of rural landscape, others citing lack of transparency and loss of public trust.
"Anyone who has a financial stake in this deal ought to resign from this board and the planning commission," said Fayette neighbor David Danford. Danford says he sees conflicts of interest on both the Township Planning Commission and the Township Board.
I asked Township Superintendent Nate Baker whether he will recuse himself from decisions on the project. He confirmed that his father, Dale Baker, stands to benefit from leasing land to Ranger Power — the company behind the project. He said he will, as will his father, who sits on the Planning Commission.
Last week, Planning Commission Chair Steve McElroy told me he will recuse himself as well due to conflict of interest.
I caught up with Ranger Power representative Brady Friss after the meeting. I asked him whether it's hard to sit through a meeting like this and hear so much opposition to your company's project.
He said: "No, we're glad to hear any and all feedback and be able to use that in designing the project as collaboratively as possible."
Ranger Power says the project would bring economic benefits to the area and that the company is committed to giving to the community.
The Township Planning Commission meets to consider the project next Monday at Jonesville High School. Last week we showed you the overflow crowd at the Planning Commission meeting in Jonesville that caused the meeting to be postponed to next week.
WATCH THE VIDEO THAT AIRED EARLIER MONDAY ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING:
Ranger Power is already installing hundreds of acres of solar panels on the West side of the Township — a part of the project already in progress known as "Heartwood 1".
Steve Oleszkowicz, who spoke at tonight's meeting and is the man behind nosolarfayette.com, says one of his goals is to get the Township to hire a lawyer versed in these kinds of projects. "They need the right counsel to move forward," he says.
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