Michigan Needs to Repeal PA233 to Protect Farmland and Allow Local Elected Officials to Make Decisions for Their Communities
Many of you have been paying attention to headlines and speaking with neighbors in your community right here in Ottawa or perhaps your own family has been affected by this terrible law. Because it’s a relatively new law brought in by Whitmer and the Democrat majority, it left many local elected officials within our townships without the necessary knowledge on how to make the best of a very bad situation.
Attending some of Blendon’s meetings in 2025 and ongoing into this year, and in speaking with constituents as well as to elected officials, Commissioner Joe Moss and I dialogued about how best to assist in educating our township officials. A public forum was created and hosted by Ottawa County and was highly attended last week Friday morning.
As fellow Commissioner Joe Moss shared, “Local government is charged with protecting life, liberty, and property. This includes actively working with citizens to determine what type of solar, wind, and battery projects should be permitted in their communities.
Michigan must protect farmland across the state and be cautious when foreign-owned companies want to eliminate farmland for profit.
PA233 is bad policy and should be repealed.”
How can PA233 be repealed? The easiest and most sure way is electing the right leaders in the state of Michigan this coming summer and fall. This will certainly continue to be a high stakes issue this year. Additionally, continuing to show up to local township meetings that are dealing with a company seeking to install a BESS or solar field on thousands of acres of farmland, demanding that the media take notice. And pray for wisdom and discernment for your local leaders that find themselves in a very difficult situation as they navigate this terrible law.
Forum put on by Ottawa County:
Last week, over 60 local government leaders and decision makers across Ottawa County came together to learn about and discuss the impacts of PA 233, a relatively new state law that transitions final siting authority for utility-scale renewable energy facilities from the local unit, to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).
Ottawa County is committed to being a partner and resource, helping local leaders make the best decision for our residents.
