Grass Lake Residents:
I just received the following communication from an executive with NextEra. The public hearing and special meeting that was scheduled for April 2nd, 2024 will be cancelled based on the withdrawal of the request for rezoning. Below is a copy of the communication from NextEra. I know that you may have questions. Feel free to email me at johnl@grasslakect.com.
Mr. Lesinski,
As a valued stakeholder of Grass Lake Solar, we wanted to inform you that the company has made the decision to postpone our application for re-zoning scheduled for April 2, 2024.
We have to weigh the $300 MM capital exposure on the project against the Township’s adoption in October 2023 of a moratorium that precludes consideration of any utility scale solar project for a year.
At this time, we believe that it is appropriate to give the Township the opportunity in the coming months to determine how it wants to approach its solar ordinance in light of the state siting legislation and the pre-existing requirements of Michigan law. NextEra would prefer to work with the community to permit a project that protects the local residents and allows for responsible development. So we intend to withdrawing our rezoning application with the hope that, in the coming months, the Township will determine which path it wants to take with respect to renewable energy development.
This is a strategic decision and does not mean that NextEra is giving up on the project.
Thanks