Consumers Energy holds the key to battery plants and solar developments that townships in Ottawa County do not want but are being imposed upon it by PA 233 to implement the Net Zero agenda. For example:
“RWE is interested in the Ottawa County location due to its proximity to an existing high-voltage transmission line operated by Consumers Energy. The line runs just east of the Ottawa Executive Airport. Michigan’s Public Act 233 allows energy developers to bypass local government decisions. If Zeeland Township denies a permit, RWE could go directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval, potentially overriding local opposition.” – https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2025/12/ottawa-county-targeted-for-commercial-solar-farm-heres-what-to-know.html . The article explains why many residents oppose the development: “Some residents in rural Ottawa County want to derail a large commercial solar farm planned for acreage spanning two townships. The project, as initially proposed, could cover up to 1,100 acres on land south of I-196 near the Ottawa Executive Airport on Byron Road…They are concerned about the loss of prime farmland, potential environmental impacts on groundwater and wildlife and the unappealing look of solar panels…”
The foreign-based RWE project wastes valuable farmland but does not provide reliable electric. Its cost will effectively have to be paid for by Consumers Energy customers, since it will not only be Consumers Energy that supplies it with a transmission line, but also will contract with it and provide it with revenues.
We need a locally controlled electric cooperative that takes over the electric grid in Ottawa County currently controlled by Consumers Energy. Consumers Energy supports the Net Zero agenda, but we need a local electric cooperative which will pursue a sane energy policy that is in the local interest instead of corporate elites far away from us.
An exploratory committee is in process of formation, working towards the objective of such a locally controlled electric cooperative.