Richland Township residents pack third solar project hearing as decision still months away

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — At least 100 Richland Township residents were at Gull Lake Middle School Wednesday evening for a third continuation of a public hearing about a proposed large-scale solar farm project that could reshape more than 2,200 acres of Kalamazoo County farmland.

The Liberty Farms Solar Energy Center, proposed by Consumers Energy, would generate 220 megawatts of electricity and power roughly 52,000 homes.

The project has been working through Richland Township’s special exception use and site plan approval process since Consumers filed its application earlier this year.

Township Supervisor Bear Priest has cautioned that residents should not to expect a quick resolution.

“I think a conservative estimate is probably three to four months of deliberation before the planning commission will be at a place to make a decision,” Priest told News Channel 3 earlier this month.

Richland Township was literally named for its land. Early settlers named the area “Richland” specifically because of its fertile soil, according to Kalamazoo County documents.

Nearly 73% of the township’s 22,400 acres remains agricultural land today.

That history was not lost on the residents who showed up Wednesday.

You’re gonna take over 2,000 acres of pristine farmland and turn it into a solar park?

“This is one of the greatest villages I’ve ever lived in. 30 years of my life I’ve been here, and I appreciate all of you,” one resident said. “You’re gonna take over 2,000 acres of pristine farmland and turn it into a solar park?”

…Now that doesn’t make a lick of sense!

Opposition dominated the room, with speakers raising concerns about farmland preservation and property values.

Several residents also questioned the value of local input given state energy policy, particularly PA 233, Michigan’s law aimed at meeting a 2035 clean energy standard.

While opposition makes up the vast vocal majority, not every person is against the project.

One speaker who said he manages nearly 600 linemen pushed back.

“These fields, these solar fields, do provide opportunity. They do provide us electrical infrastructure,” he said. “If you don’t want to build solar fields, then you have to decide what you do want to do… I’m all for nuclear. It’s going to take some time for you to get enough nuclear plants up, right?”

The planning commission has not yet begun formal review of Consumers Energy’s application, officials said.

Once it does, the commission will need to weigh the application against the township’s zoning ordinance, including standards for special exception use approval and site plan review.

Then, the planning commission will make a recommendation to the regular council, which gets the final say.

Consumers Energy, in a statement shared with News Channel 3, said:

“Consumers Energy appreciates everyone who spoke during public comment throughout the Richland Township Planning Commission meetings.
We will continue working through the permitting process with Richland Township and local partners while engaging with the community to share information, answer questions and gather input.
The proposed Liberty Farms Solar project is part of our broader plan to meet Michigan’s energy needs with a balanced mix of resources to deliver affordable, reliable power today and into the future.”

The planning commission has not yet announced a date for any formal vote.

More information can be found on Richland Township’s website.