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Residents urge public involvement as solar and battery projects move from review to permitting
Summary
Public commenters told the St. Clair County Board to stay engaged on solar, batteries and related health and safety questions and flagged prior EDA involvement with a private solar developer.
Residents urged the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners to keep listening and to remain involved as solar and battery projects progress from hearings and workshops to active proposals.
Liz Masters, identified in the meeting as “EDA for Gratiot Ranger,” said public records obtained through FOIA show the EDA had dealings with Ranger Power of Fort Gratiot as recently as August 2023, short of two months before the company’s first public hearing. ‘‘If the public could find the time to give to our officials right now, their ears are open,’’ Masters said, urging continued public involvement as some projects move from workshops to permitting.
Sandra Richardson, who identified herself as a local resident, told commissioners she and other residents regularly encounter confusion and fear in neighborhoods near proposed projects. ‘‘They’re confused as to where we stand with this project, and they’re scared because of the health and safety of our residents,’’ she said, describing anxiety and loss of sleep among neighbors who can see proposed project sites from their homes.
Why it matters: speakers asked the county to preserve transparency and maintain oversight as projects transition from planning to construction, and they highlighted public-health and local-notice concerns.
The board acknowledged the public comments; commissioners and staff earlier referenced the health department’s engagement on related topics and encouraged residents to attend workshops and public hearings. No permitting or regulatory action was taken during the meeting; the remarks occurred during the public-comment segment.
What’s next: commissioners and staff said the public should monitor upcoming meetings and materials; public commenters encouraged neighbors to remain involved in township- and county-level processes.
