OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 27, 2026) – It looks as if Ottawa County will get involved in the ongoing dispute involving the Silver Maple Solar Project.
On the agenda for Tuesday morning’s monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners are 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. 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.
Commissioners will first vote on whether to authorize County Administrator Patrick Waterman to file a petition by the November 12th deadline. If the board approves this question, then it will decide on retaining legal counsel, along with authorizing $50,000 for covering costs of such action.
The 9 AM Ottawa County Board meeting is 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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