Dear Board Members:
In follow up to my request at this week’s county board meeting, I would ask the County Board to discuss the resolution below or similar. Chair Teeples stated at this week’s meeting that if even just one Board member asks in a timely manner for an item to be included on the agenda, then he would place it on the agenda. This is an important issue in the county, and deserves county board discussion.
The proposed resolution for discussion:
WHEREAS, three cities in Ottawa County successfully have locally controlled electric utility service, and other sections have Great Lakes Energy Electric Cooperative; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan Public Act 233 of 2023 changed the authority for siting large-scale renewable energy projects from local governments like townships and counties to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC); and,
WHEREAS, data centers are placing greatly increasing and unprecedented demand on the electric grid, and,
WHEREAS, six townships (and more may join them) in Ottawa County have passed resolutions pursuing an exploratory committee for a locally controlled electric cooperative, for information-gathering purposes alone, over concerns of Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Consumers Energy policy direction, along with helping to make sure data center additions only occur if they are in the interest of local residents; and,
WHEREAS, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners has the authority to “enter or to intervene in any action or certificate proceeding involving the services, charges or rates of any privately owned public utility furnishing services or commodities to rate payers within the County.” (Article VII, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, 1964, as amended), and thus has a role in electric utility service in the county;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners authorizes its representation on the exploratory committee for a locally controlled electric cooperative, of participating townships, in order to gather information on the topic so that more informed decisions can be made.
Here are the six township boards which have thus far passed the 2nd round of Campbell resolutions:
- Georgetown
- Jamestown
- Wright
- Polkton
- Zeeland Township
- Blendon
We are optimistic others will join them.
I want to thank you again for the Campbell plant resolution (https://boards.miottawa.org/resolution/resolution-to-delayed-the-closing-of-the-consumers-energy-j-h-campbell-plant/) this Board passed earlier in the year, to great effect.
Sincerely,
Joseph Parnell McCarter
Volunteer leader, SaveTheCampbell.com
Georgetown Township, MI
PS Below was the speech delivered on this matter earlier this week:
Joseph Parnell McCarter, Georgetown Township, volunteer leader of SaveTheCampbell effort.
I would request the County Board consider these facts:
- Six township boards spread out across Ottawa County have already passed the 2nd round of “Save The Campell” resolutions, and we are getting positive indications others may join. These resolutions pursue an exploratory committee for a locally controlled electric cooperative, seeking the assistance of the Trump Administration, which has already helped us in delaying the closure of the Campbell.
- Zeeland attained local control of its electric from Consumers Energy almost a century ago, facilitated by the FDR Administration. I am sure it does not regret its decision, as its pricing is almost half that of the Consumers Energy, and Consumers Energy is now requesting the largest price hike in decades irrespective of the Campbell. In service and pricing Ottawa County’s locally controlled electric utilities compare favorably to Consumers Energy. It is not just 3 cities in the county which have it, but also a swath of Ottawa County using Great Lakes Energy Cooperative.
- Michigan’s PA 233 law makes this all the more urgent. That law takes away local zoning control of corporate electric projects like the lithium ion battery plant planned in Blendon Township against the wishes of its citizens. It will be getting lots of its revenue and grid access through Consumers Energy, so a locally controlled electric cooperative is a means to get back local control.
- Obviously the Net Zero agenda being aggressively pursued by Consumers Energy far beyond what Michigan law requires is another factor. Their desire to demolish the Campbell in 2025 despite the significant current challenges to keep up with electric demand is only one example.
- It is also urgent now because of the huge pressures on our electric grid from AI data centers, which not only affect county electric but also water resources. We need local control of our electric to better ensure that local residential interests come before far away globalist corporate interests. This is something where citizens across the political spectrum in our county should be agreed.
So my request to this Board is that your next standing committee meeting you place on the agenda to discuss a resolution which would allow representatives of the County Board to sit at the table of the exploratory committee for a locally controlled electric cooperative. It is really a matter of due diligence responsibility for the County Board to be involved in this information-gathering process that has a huge impact on Ottawa County. This is too big an issue for the County Board to sit on the sidelines and not be involved.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request.