The proposed Silver Maple Solar project is a 1,900-acre solar farm on private Zeeland and Jamestown Townships farmland. Earlier this year Zeeland Township’s board approved a resolution denying its construction. Germany-based RWE Solar has since invoked Public Act 233, state legislation allowing renewable energy project developers to seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
“This is going to affect our community. It’s going to affect our roadways, our waterways, and it certainly will affect our residents, so I think we should absolutely intervene.”
Ottawa County 2nd District Commissioner Jordan Jorritsma was one of nine members voting in favor of participating in the MPSC decision-making process.
District 3 Commissioner Doug Zylstra was the lone “no” vote.
“I continue to see this matter simply as individual landowners and farmers exercising their private property rights.”
Residents have raised concerns over environmental and aesthetic impacts, as well as the loss of farmland.
Board Chair Josh Brugger clarified that his “yes” vote does not mean he’s against renewable energy projects.
“I believe this is, at this point, just simply saying, ‘We believe Ottawa County should have a voice at the table.’ What exactly we say, that’s where we may disagree, but I really feel like we all ought to agree on giving Ottawa County members a voice.”
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