(The Center Square) – State Rep. Jennifer Wortz is praising Fayette Township’s decision to deny an expansion for a utility-scale solar project, which could still be appealed for override by state regulators.
The Fayette Township Planning Commission voted last week to deny a special land use permit sought by Ranger Power for its proposed Heartwood Solar II and III projects.
The issue may not be over, however, as the company could still appeal the decision to the Michigan Public Service Commission under Public Act 233. The law, approved by state Democrats in 2023, allows developers of large renewable energy projects to seek state approval when local governments deny permits.
Wortz, R-Quincy, who represents Fayette Township in the Michigan House, said she supports the township’s decision.
“I am in full support of the decision the zoning board made in voting down the Heartwood 2 project,” Wortz told The Center Square in an exclusive interview. “It sounds like Ranger Power has not been willing to follow through on their commitments in the previous project nor willing to work with the township in making any adjustments in this project.”
Ranger Power, which currently operates Heartwood Solar I, sought approval to expand solar development onto hundreds more acres of farmland in Hillsdale County. A third phase of the project was also already in the works. If approved, more than 20% of the township’s roughly 13,000 acres would have been tied up in the solar project.
The proposal became one of the most contentious solar disputes in southwest Michigan, drawing hundreds of residents to public meetings over the past several months.
“It does not satisfy the provisions,” the planning commission stated in its final motion last Monday to deny the permit.
Among the reasons cited for denial was the “vast use of farmland converted to industrial solar.”
The planning commission’s decision was influenced in part by its recent adoption of a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance, which established local zoning standards for renewable energy developments in the township. The ordinance was adopted as part of the township’s effort to regulate future solar development and comply with Public Act 233
Wortz, who has been working to champion CREOs in communities throughout her district, said she hopes Ranger Power does not pursue an appeal through the MPSC.
“I encouraged Ranger Power Monday night to respect the will of the people in this township,” she said. “I have been told by their representative that they ‘don’t want to go where they are not wanted.’”
She argued that if the project reaches state regulators, local opposition should carry significant weight.
“I believe the people of Fayette Township spoke loud and clear that not only do they not want 1,350 more acres in solar, this project would jeopardize wetland and wildlife habitat along with putting an unreasonable amount of land into solar within the township,” Wortz said. “These are the points MPSC should uphold and respect if an appeal is made.”
Controversy still surrounds the passage of Public Act 233.
Supporters of it say the law is necessary to ensure there is enough renewable energy to meet the state’s Democrat-passed clean energy mandates, which requires utilities to generate 80% of their electricity from clean sources by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2040.
Critics argue the law overrides local control in favor of developers, particularly as the MPSC has largely sided with developers in cases brought under the law. House Republicans are hopeful to amend those requirements and the MPSC’s overriding powers, though it’s current unlikely to pass with Democrats controlling the state Senate.
As previously reported in The Center Square’s exclusive series on solar in Michigan, Wortz has argued that federal and state incentives are helping drive renewable energy development into rural communities.
“These are large corporations coming in because they’ve gotten large federal kickbacks and state tax incentives to do so,” Wortz previously told The Center Square. “We are more of a target because we’re labeled a poor, economically-depressed community.”
Wortz added that federal incentives are likely contributing to the continued push for solar projects across Michigan.
“The federal Solar Tax credit is expiring on December 31, 2027,” she said. “For commercial solar projects to receive this 30% tax credit the project must be fully installed and functioning by this date. I believe that is why there is such a push to get these projects through.”
If Ranger Power appeals, Wortz said she hopes state regulators defer to the township’s decision.
“I hope the MPSC will support townships and the work that they do to develop CREO’s that work to comply with PA 233 while still supporting their local communities,” she said. “Fayette Township has already complied and approved over 1,000 acres of land for solar fields. MPSC needs to respect and uphold this decision if Ranger Power appeals.”
