- In Hillsdale County, neighbors are pushing back against Ranger Power's "Heartwood 2" solar project.
- The project is a proposed expansion into hundreds of acres on the East side of Fayette Township.
- Monday, Fayette Township's Board chose a legal firm to help draft a solar ordinance to regulate such developments.
- Ranger Power submitted a letter to the Board that suggests an appeal to the state for an override of local authorities under Public Act 233 may be in the works.
A thinner crowd — compared to prior meetings — at the Fayette Township Board meeting at Jonesville High School Monday night, but concerns about the expansion of the Heartwood solar project into Eastern Fayette Township remained front and center during public comment.
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A decision by the Township Board to choose the law firm Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches to help draft the Township's solar ordinance left Steve Oleszkowicz disappointed.
"Well, it's not what we were asking for," said Oleszkowicz. He is spearheading opposition to the expansion of the Heartwood solar project — already in progress on the Township's Western side.
"Seems like they made their selection based on cost only and nothing else," he said.
Members of the Township Board did not wish to appear on camera, but said that was not the case.
Oleszkowicz was pushing for the law firm Foster Swift. He says that firm has more experience in holding companies to their obligations.
A letter was read from Ranger Power — the company behind Heartwood solar — to the Township Supervisor, inviting the Board to discuss expansion plans.
Oleszkowicz says the letter means more than just that: "That's step one in a process to appeal to PA 233 and bypass the Township completely, and go to the state for approval."
Public Act, or PA 233 allows companies to appeal to the Michigan Public Service Commission if Townships do not have an ordinance compatible with state guidelines.
Board Member Scott Playford said he had heard from Ranger Power that this was not their preferred route.
I reached out to Ranger Power for comment, but did not hear back.
The Township Planning Commission meets Tuesday night at Jonesville High School to discuss the proposed expansion.
Large numbers of neighbors here in Hillsdale County have been turning out to protest the expansion of the solar project that is already underway in Western Fayette Township.
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As you head West out of Jonesville, you can see the solar panels already going in on hundreds of acres.
The project is called Heartwood, and the company behind it, Chicago-based Ranger Power, wants to expand it over here on the East side of the Township.
Proponents, including the Company itself, cite economic and environmental benefits. Meanwhile, opponents are concerned about impact on their quality of life, the rural environment, and home values in the neighborhood.
Possible conflicts of interest have already led to recusals on both the Township Board and the Planning Commission.
SEE OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE HERE AND HERE.
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