Arbela Township planners vote down solar farm proposal
The Arbela Township Planning Commission in Tuscola County voted down a proposed solar farm on Wednesday.
TUSCOLA COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) — The Arbela Township Planning Commission voted against a proposed industrial scale solar farm this week.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Birch Valley Solar Project is dead.
The planning commission held a public hearing on Wednesday to discuss a proposed commercial solar energy system. The plan would involve building 340,000 solar panels covering 923 acres within fenced in areas on a total of 1,540 acres.
Community members attended the meeting to voice concerns and ask questions about the project. Many residents expressed opposition to moving forward with the project.
The planning commission denied a requested zoning variance that would allow the project to move forward. Ranger Power, which is developing the project, now may now seek approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
A Michigan law enacted last year gives the unelected public service commission final decision making authority on new renewable energy installations.