(Source: MIRS.news, Published 01/08/2025) Republican legislators are up in arms about the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) proposal to lease 420 acres of Otsego County land for a solar energy farm, but the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) reported Wednesday that it's going to wait until the plan's final details are released before pushing the panic button. 

Earlier this week, Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) led his entire Republican caucus and Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) in shooting off a letter to DNR Director M. Scott Bowen “demanding answers” about the potential deal. 

“The cat is out of the bag, and it’s not happy," Borton said. “Yet, instead of facing the music, the DNR would rather try and stuff the poor thing right back in there.” 

 RWE Clean Energy told Bridge Michigan earlier this week that it is not seeking to lease state-owned land for this project. 

If this or a similar proposal were to go forward, however, MEC said it supports leasing or selling “marginal” state land for solar and wind development. 

“We do not support leasing or selling state land that is ecologically significant or significant for recreation or outdoor enjoyment,” the statement reads. 

In the case of the “fragmented” Gaylord land, though, the acreage in question is a mix of harvestable forest, degraded land, and oil and gas wellheads. Surrounded by industrial and residential development, the Gaylord land appears to be a well-situated site “for some level of solar development . . . There is even clear-cutting already taking place on the property to harvest red pine." 

MEC said clear cutting is necessary in some instances and should be approached with caution and care. It wants the DNR to “conduct a robust climate analysis” before pushing forward on any clear-cutting. A key question will be whether greenhouse gas pollution is reduced by moving forward. 

In related news, a grassroots coalition called Our Home Our Voice, led by activist Kevon MARTIS raised concerns about government overreach in OKing solar and wind farms, in general. 

Martis is particularly agitated about plans to turn 25,000 acres of Lenawee County farmland into a solar energy farm, according to a press release he released Tuesday. 

"Decisions about land use should be made by those who live in and understand the unique needs of their communities—not by outside interests pushing sweeping, one-size-fits-all projects," Martis added.