ZEELAND, Mich. — RWE Americas has refiled its application with the Michigan Public Service Commission for the Silver Maple Solar Farm, a $300 million, 200-megawatt project proposed across 1,900 acres of agricultural-zoned land in Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
WATCH: Silver Maple Solar Farm application refiled with Michigan regulators amid dueling lawsuits
The company withdrew its initial application before refiling with the MPSC. The refiling came after two public meetings hosted by RWE Americas, following a change in a recent court case. Ottawa County has also been added to the application as an affected local government, in addition to Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
RWE Americas spokesperson John Lamontagne stated the refiling.
The refiling triggered a state law requirement that Zeeland Township receive $50,000 in intervenor funds, intended to assist with the township’s legal costs.
The refiling also comes as RWE faces two active lawsuits connected to the project.
PRIOR COVERAGE: RWE faces pushback at Silver Maple Solar Farm public meeting held in Zeeland Township
RWE sued multiple members of the Smallegan family in Zeeland Township, claiming they violated a lease agreement and continued to block access to property that makes up roughly 30 percent of the land the solar farm would occupy. The Smallegan family’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case, which RWE opposed. A judge denied the motion, and a bench trial is set for Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.
Zeeland Township also filed a lawsuit against RWE Americas, arguing that a state law removing local oversight of energy developments is unconstitutional. RWE subsequently filed a notice of removal from Ottawa County Circuit Court, transferring the case to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Zeeland Township has since filed to return the case to local courts.
PRIOR COVERAGE: Zeeland Township approves new data center and energy facility moratorium to protect local planning
Zeeland Township Supervisor Kerri Bosma addressed the legal fight in a statement on social media.
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