Ely Township solar panel project delayed after public concern - WLUC
Ely Township solar panel project delayed after public concern
ELY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) - An Ely Township solar panel project is on pause.
In a 3-2 vote, the Ely Township Board chose to delay the start of solar panel installation at the township hall. Work was supposed to start on Thursday. The plan was to install the panels outside the township hall near the park. The solar panels were planned to provide all the electricity to the Ely Township Hall.
The project was originally approved in December after several months of discussion. After considerable public concerns about the proximity to the nearby park, the board is exploring installing solar panels on the roof instead.
“We went through all of the public hearings,” said Jeremy Laakso, Ely Township Supervisor. “We went through all of the legal requirements to come to the decision to put the solar panels where they were going to be located. Because there was more outreach to the township, I decided to call a special meeting.”
The township already committed $10,000 to the project. Peninsula Solar is contracted to complete the project.
Laakso said the cost of changing the construction plans is unknown at this time. Another public hearing to make a final decision will be scheduled.
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