Presque Isle County Approves DTE Solar Panels Application

At Thursday night’s Presque Isle County Planning Commission meeting, DTE Energy proposed an application to the board, hoping to place 800 panels in the county.

DTE said this measure would increase green energy and provide jobs and tax revenue to the area, but there were several people at the meeting who disagreed.

“The commissioners didn’t do us justice, what they’re voted in to do,” said Rick Haselhuhn, who spoke against the proposal. “These people, they don’t live here.”

Some spoke in favor of the approval of the proposal, saying it was a difficult, but wise decision, and although the board approved the application, still heavily considered what the majority of people who spoke out against the application had to say.

“I think the solar and clean energy transition is something that’s a huge benefit to Michigan and to our grandchildren, and I’m really happy that it took a step forward tonight,” said Peter Sinclair, an energy and environmental videographer.

The board said there were several factors that went into their decision to approve the proposal, including neighboring property owners. Going by the zoning ordinance ended up being what influenced their decision the most.

“The planning commission feels like they need to go by the zoning ordinance,” said Presque Isle County planning commissioner James Zakshesky. “The zoning ordinance allowed this by special use permit.”

Those in favor of the approval say it will have several benefits for the Presque Isle area.

“Projects like this are an exact fit to the needs that smaller communities have in terms of supporting their local services, but with very minimal impact in terms of what we normally think of with a project of this kind of value,” said Sinclair. “So, solar is a marvelous match for a lot of rural communities.”

The measure passed 7–1 and DTE will begin to install the solar panels in Presque Isle County in the coming months.