Slow down and know the facts.
1. Currently there is no application pending for solar or battery storage in Lockport Township
2. Lockport Township has had a solar ordinance and overlay district in this same area since 2023. At that time battery storage was not being discussed. The local municipalities created an ordinance to prevent the State from taking over. Well guess what the State passed PA 233 which gives a utility solar company permission to go directly to the State of Michigan for various reasons
3 Public Act 233 indicates that any Utility Solar Company over 50 megawatts can bypass the local municipality and go to the State of Michigan for approval with local municipalities having no say. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/publicact/htm/2023-PA-0233.htm
4. If the local municipality does have an ordinance and it is more restrictive than the States, it is an automatic pass to the State. Our ordinance is more restrictive that the States.
They can call it a name plate project and scatter them all over the Township as long as they are connected together. Again the State could make that decision. Lockport says no, if you are gonna do it in Lockport Township it is restricted to the overlay district.
5. No this does not have an effect on the Three Rivers Airport. Indianapolis Indiana Regional Airport has one of the largest systems in the State of Indiana and are still expanding https://www.ind.com/about/media/media-releases/largest-airport-based-solar-farm-in-the-world-now-operating-at-the-indianapolis-international-airport
6. This amendment regulating battery storage is the same ordinance that adjacent township either have or will be passing as well.
If you want to put up a fight, don’t fight with Lockport Township or any local municipality. They are trying to protect the Township. If you want to fight contact your State Representative or State Senator to fight to repeal PA 233 and let local municipalities decide what’s best for their municipality.
Also this is not a data center that takes alot of energy and water that is up for discussion. This is battery storage units that are typically associated with a solar panel project.
The ultimate control are the property owners. If no property owner consents then it can’t happen. It is not the municipality that will make the money, it will be the property owner.