OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jul. 30, 2026) – Ottawa County isn’t going to get into the Silver Maple Solar Farm legal mess – yet.
During Tuesday’s monthly meeting, the county board heard from residents supporting a lawsuit, filed by Zeeland Township, challenging the constitutionality of State Public Act 233, which preempts local control over the regulation of wind, solar, and energy storage facilities. The litigation stems from a proposed 250-megawatt project, encompassing over 1,900 acres across both Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
Zeeland Township sent a letter to the county board last week, asking that the county become an intervener in the case, citing a state Court of Appeals decision that broadened the definition of an affected local unit which would allow the county to be involved. However, Board Chairman Josh Brugger of Grand Haven explained that, because RWE Americas is currently suspending its efforts on the state level to secure approval for its project, the governing panel will stay its hand on the matter for the moment.
Zeeland Township’s lawsuit was filed earlier this month in the 20th Circuit Court at Grand Haven.
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