A plan to locate a solar farm on state-owned land in northern lower Michigan was scuttled before bipartisan criticism of the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by lawmakers.

That’s according to RWE Clean Energy, which says it is developing a 200 megawatt solar project in Otsego County, located on more than a thousand acres of privately owned land.

“The project footprint does not contain any state-owned land,” Patricia Kakridas, senior manager for media and public relations for RWE Clean Energy told the Michigan Advance. “It is being developed on private property we are leasing from two private landowners. We are not seeking to build our project on public land.”

The effort to lease 420 acres of state-managed land west of Gaylord was approved by DNR Director Scott Bowen, who told agency employees that a proposed solar farm would be located near an existing high-voltage power transmission line as well as two planned privately-owned solar panel installations.

“As the largest landowner in the state, DNR can play a role in providing energy needed by society. DNR lands have been leased for gas, oil and mineral production for decades. Now, solar energy is part of the mix, and we expect some of our state lands can be used for that purpose while recognizing not every acre proposed for development is compatible with solar energy,” said Bowen.

However, the plan drew condemnation from Republican lawmakers, as well as at least two Democrats. 

State Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) blasted the decision to utilize state forest land for a solar energy project.

“Mind-numbing decisions like this are absolute proof that the DNR is completely rotten to its core,” said Borton. “This deforestation will destroy habitats and effectively kill wildlife. Let me make that clear, the DNR is choosing to kill wildlife so they can build solar panels.”

However, Kakridas indicated the decision not to lease state land was made some time ago.  

“We did not just make that determination. We started working with two private landowners in 2019 and during the development process, we conducted outreach to all landowners adjacent to the project location, including DNR. Ultimately, we decided to move forward with leasing property from the two private landowners for this particular project,” she said.

In his communication to DNR staff, Bowen indicated that the agency already leases land for many types of industrial development, “including gas and oil wells and processing facilities, pipelines and flowlines, mines, sand and gravel pits, asphalt plants, and cell phone towers,” and there was a rigorous process in place to determine what parcels were best for solar energy production.

“To date, DNR has evaluated over 30,000 acres, and most have been found incompatible with solar energy. Any sites selected will be carefully vetted to minimize environmental, cultural and habitat concerns. Some revenue generated from leasing land will be used to buy lands to replace those used for solar. Therefore, there will be no net loss of public access, timber production or wildlife habitat,” said Bowen.

Joining Borton in condemning the leasing proposal were fellow Republicans — state Rep. Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres) and state Sen. Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) — but also Democratic state Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), who called it “incredibly counterproductive” towards trying to decrease carbon emissions.

“Studies have shown that deforestation for solar development often results in a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, undermining the benefits of renewable energy. This decision also directly contradicts the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which calls to ‘avoid land-use conversion that causes a net increase in GHG emissions and prioritize land uses that reduce GHG emissions.’ We can fight climate change and protect our forests. Let’s demand smarter solutions that align with our climate goals!,” McFall stated on Facebook.

In a press release on Tuesday, Borton noted that RWE Clean Energy had reversed course and no longer wished to utilize the state-owned property, but also indicated that whether the company proceeded or not, the issue was not considered closed, noting that a bipartisan letter had been sent to Bowen.

“We demand answers as to where flattening over 400 acres of forest to clear the way for foreign-built solar panels fits within your department’s mission. We also demand a thorough report on all DNR involvement with efforts to replace valuable natural resources with unproven green energy technologies,” stated the letter, which was signed by 51 Republicans and one Democrat, state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit).

Whitsett has made common cause of late with Republicans, assisting efforts at thwarting House Democrats’ efforts to pass legislation during the lame duck session last month by refusing to attend session, depriving Democrats of a quorum after House Republicans walked out of the chamber in protest of changes made to the state’s minimum wage that would eliminate a separate tipped wage, an issue that Whitsett also wanted addressed.

“The curtain is coming down on these terrible ideas and House Republicans aren’t going to stop digging until we uncover every single place the DNR plans to kill wildlife to further the radical green energy agenda,” said Borton. “I’ve already been made aware of similar projects in Otsego and Roscommon counties. I’m sure the buck doesn’t stop there. The DNR has lost the public trust and failed at managing conservation efforts; there is no way we’re going to let them find new ways to screw up energy production, especially at the expense of our natural resources.”

The Michigan Advance asked Borton whether the examination of the DNR’s leasing practices would solely focus on renewable energy production or also examine more traditional sources such as oil and gas, but has yet to receive a response.

The effort to increase renewable energy sources follows Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, which sought to have a 100% clean energy standard by 2040. That goal was signed into law by Whitmer in 2023, one of the signature achievements under Democrats’ two-year trifecta of majorities in the state House and Senate, as well as control of the executive branch. That came to end following November’s election, in which Republicans were able to regain control of the state House.

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