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Huron County Planning Commission Reviews Renewable Energy Ordinance During Special Meeting
Russ Survance
Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:22:19 EDT
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The Huron County Planning Commission spent nearly two hours discussing possible changes to the county's renewable energy zoning ordinance during a special meeting held July 29 in Bad Axe.
Much of the evening centered on utility-scale solar projects, battery energy storage systems, and whether the county should revise current regulations before an existing moratorium expires.
More than two dozen residents, landowners, elected officials, and representatives from DTE Energy addressed the commission during public comment.
Several local farmers who have signed lease agreements for solar development said the decision was voluntary and followed extensive research and legal consultation. They argued that renewable energy provides long-term financial stability while allowing ownership of farmland to remain within local families. They also said portions of leased property could benefit from decades of rest while farming continues on surrounding acreage.
District 1 Commissioner Sami Khoury urged the Planning Commission to recommend extending the county's moratorium on large-scale solar and battery energy storage projects by 60 to 90 days. Khoury said additional time would allow county officials to consider revisions proposed by the Legislative Committee before finalizing ordinance changes.
DTE Energy representatives outlined the state's clean energy requirements, noting Michigan utilities must continue increasing renewable energy production over the coming years under state law. Company officials highlighted billions of dollars in planned statewide renewable energy investments and emphasized the economic impact of existing projects, including tax revenue, local employment, and lease payments to participating landowners.
Other speakers encouraged the commission to balance agricultural preservation with economic development, while opponents argued renewable energy expansion could conflict with goals outlined in the county's master plan and urged commissioners to delay adopting additional renewable energy zoning standards until state policies become more settled.
Commissioners also debated proposed amendments defining how acreage would be counted for utility-scale solar developments. A motion to revise the ordinance language regarding project area calculations failed on a 6-to-3 roll call vote.
Discussion then shifted to possible revisions involving setbacks from schools, churches, parks, and other public facilities, as well as the possibility of extending the current moratorium on solar and battery energy storage projects.
No final action was taken on those issues before the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
The Huron County Planning Commission is scheduled to meet again Wednesday, August 5th, at 7 p.m. in Room 305 of the Huron County Building in Bad Axe.
