YouTube video of the Oct. 27, 2026 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting courtesy Ottawa County, Michigan
OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 27, 2026) – Ottawa County will get involved in the ongoing dispute involving the Silver Maple Solar Project.
During this morning’s monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners, three items directly relating to the proposed 200-megawatt, utility-scale initiative which RWE Clean Energy wants to build over nearly 2,000 acres of farmland in Zeeland and Jamestown townships all passed. The $300 million-plus project is now before the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval under a state law that allows the PSC to overrule any local jurisdiction in such clean energy-related matters.
Zeeland Township has already filed a lawsuit in 20th Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of this legislation, with RWE asking that the matter be resolved in the federal court system instead. The township has asked the county to intervene with the PSC on this issue.
On a 10-1 margin, commissioners authorized County Administrator Patrick Waterman to file a petition by the November 12th deadline making the county an intervener, as well as retaining legal counsel, and on an unanimous vote, authorized up to $50,000 for covering costs of such action.
Board Chairman Josh Brugger of Grand Haven.
The lone no vote on the first two items came from Holland Democrat Doug Zylstra.
The 9 AM Ottawa County Board meeting was in the main meeting room at the County Administration Building in West Olive (12220 Fillmore St.). An online link to the agenda and supporting documents is here.
 
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