Major solar development may be coming to Conway and Cohoctah townships

CONWAY TWP. - A proposed solar project in Conway and Cohoctah Townships has prompted mixed reactions from the public, and Monday night drew a full house for the Conway Township Planning Commission meeting in the Fowlerville Junior High auditorium.

Planning commissioners listened to more than two hours of public comment about the proposed solar project in that could cover a portion of farmland in the township.

Ranger Power is considering a project that will cover 1,500 acres across the two townships. Five farmers have already agreed to lease land. Drew Vielbig, a development manager with Ranger Power, said the participating farmers are multi-generational land owners who are from the community.

Planning commissions in both Conway and Cohoctah Townships are considering ordinance changes that would regulate solar projects. Currently there is a moratorium in Conway Township that continues until March, preventing applications for such projects.

Meghan Swain-Kuch, the chairperson of the Conway Township planning commission, said the current regulations regarding solar energy projects are weak and really only define the rules related to rooftop solar panels.

The township is exploring the best way to regulate solar projects, she said. "The planning commission has been very cautious on this because it's a significant thing for the community."

Cohoctah Township Supervisor Mark Fosdick said the main reason the township is considering ordinance changes is to protect surrounding property owners.

"I think everybody supports, in some form, green energy. The question is, where do we put it?" he said.

If it's a goal of the state, they should put it on state land, he said.

"A major problem I see with this whole thing is there is no benefit to the actual community," Fosdick said.

Vielbig said the community would benefit from the project because millions of dollars in tax revenue would go toward local entities, like public schools or emergency services.

Cohoctah Township's planning commission will conduct a public hearing on its solar ordinance Jan. 5.

Conway Township's proposed updates would allow for "effective and efficient use of solar energy collection systems," according to the Dec. 12 meeting packet. With the updates, the township would regulate "the siting, design, and installation of such systems to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and to ensure compatibility of land uses in the vicinity of solar energy systems," the proposal said.

According to a presentation in the Dec. 12 meeting packet, the proposed solar farm would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 394,000 tons per year, which is equivalent to the yearly emissions of 77,000 cars. This project would provide power to about 30,000 homes.

Ranger Power has a similar, $250-million solar project already operating across northeast Shiawassee County.

Public concerns

Township officials had intended to discuss the proposal in November, but had to adjourn the meeting because the large crowd that showed up placed the facility over capacity. The township rented the junior high auditorium for Monday's session.

During the public comment Monday, residents voiced concerns over a variety of topics related to solar power. Many, like Kelly Ralko, were concerned solar panels will ruin the rural appeal of their community. Vielbig addressed some of the concerns during an interview.

"It is not harmonious with the overall other aesthetics of this rural township," Ralko said. Ralko was also concerned about the possibility of flooding in the area with solar panels.

Other residents also expressed concerns about toxins they believe could come from solar panels.

Vielbig, however, said after the meeting that the solar panels are similar to the ones people install on their homes or in their yards.

"They are non-toxic," he said.

Other residents expressed concerns the solar panels used in the project wouldn't be made in the United States. "Aren't all these panels made in China?" Jason Hagy asked.

Vielbig said there have not been any decisions about from where the panels would be sourced.

Amanda Priest said she moved to Conway Township from a rural area that now has a lot of solar panels.

"It did tear apart our community," she said. "All it is, is miles and miles of solar panels. You can watch birds fly over the solar panels and they literally light in flames from heat that they produce."

In response to the claim about birds, Vielbig said that without knowledge about solar projects, he could understand why people would be concerned about birds.

"I would encourage people to seek out factual information from experts and researchers to become more informed on these projects," he said.

He recommends people attend the "Sun 101" event 7 p.m. Thursday in the Fowlerville Junior High auditorium. The event will feature a presentation by environmental videographer Peter Sinclair on the basics of solar energy.

Sophia Lada is a reporter for the Livingston Daily. Contact her at slada@gannett.com or 517-377-1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.