Lakeside Solar has taken the first step towards reviving its proposed solar energy facility under the new state law governing the siting of renewable energy facilities, the White River Township board announced at its Feb. 11 meeting.
The company, following processes outlined in the state's Public Act 233, met with township supervisor Ron Bailey and zoning administrator Bill Schmiege Feb. 6, Bailey said.
"They shared their preliminary project," Bailey said. "It's not finalized yet as a formal application, but they met with me and (Schmiege)."
While the specifics of the proposal remain confidential, Bailey said it bears a resemblance to the original proposal that first became public in November 2022 and generated much public feedback. That proposal called for a 1,700-acre facility to be built in the township.
National Grid Renewables, the parent company of Lakeside Solar, had not returned a phone call seeking comment at press time.
PA233, which was passed in November 2023 and went into effect last November, granted siting authority for utility-scale renewable energy projects to the Michigan Public Services Commission in hopes of streamlining the process by which such facilities are built. The law went into effect last November. Dozens of townships, White River and Montague included, have filed an appeal to stop the law's implementation, believing it takes away local control of the issue. While presiding judge Kristina Robinson Garrett permitted the appeal to go forward in January, she declined a request to stop enforcement of the law while the appeal is in progress.
Under the law, municipalities may retain local authority with compatible renewable energy ordinances (CREOs), provided they are no more restrictive to renewable energy facilities than PA233 is. White River Township approved the creation of a renewable energy district last fall that it believes qualifies as a CREO.
Bailey said the next step of the process calls for a public hearing to share the proposal - Lakeside Solar held such a hearing in 2023 when making its original proposal - and he expects one to be scheduled soon. Around that time, a formal application will be submitted to the township board.
"It's very ambiguous still on the state level how this will play out, which is why we're part of the appeal," Bailey said. "It's important that every community is involved in their own area, asking questions and learning how to be involved, so we can be involved, as opposed to the decisions being made by the state."
