October 24, 2023
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Ottawa, Michigan, held at the Fillmore Street Complex in the Township of Olive, Michigan on the 24th day of October, 2023 at 8:00 AM local time.
PRESENT: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Douglas Zylstra, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
It was moved by Commissioner Roger Bergman and supported by Commissioner Roger Belknap that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, Executive Directive 2020-10 aims to achieve 100% carbon neutrality in Michigan by 2050; and
WHEREAS, industry leaders have pledged to reduce carbon emissions to help achieve this goal; and
WHEREAS, efforts to expand renewable energy projects will continue to increase in this state; and
WHEREAS, the governor has proposed the Michigan Public Service Commission be the sole regulating authority for solar and wind projects to expedite these efforts; and
WHEREAS, by granting the Michigan Public Service Commission this authority, local control will be preempted; and
WHEREAS, should local control be preempted, a county, township, city or village would be unable to determine the location, size, setback distance, decibel level or any other criteria for a solar or wind facility; and
WHEREAS, should local control be preempted, a county, township, city, or village would be unable to determine requirements for construction, operation, use, or maintenance of a solar or wind facility; and
WHEREAS, if a county already has a solar or wind policy, practice, regulation, rule or ordinance on record it would be null and void; and
WHEREAS, all other types of energy facilities, while regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission, must adhere to local zoning; and
WHEREAS, this proposal grants far more regulating authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission than for any other energy source; and
WHEREAS, the Michigan Association of Counties opposes any legislative action that may grant the Michigan Public Service Commission this power
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Ottawa County opposes the pre-emption of local control in solar and wind siting and zoning.
YEAS: Commissioners: Gretchen Cosby, Jacob Bonnema, Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Lucy Ebel, Roger Belknap, Sylvia Rhodea, Joe Moss, Roger Bergman.
NAYS: Commissioners: Douglas Zylstra
ABSTENTIONS: None