(ST. CLAIR COUNTY, MI) - Officials in St. Clair County are appealing a court ruling that struck down local regulations claiming large-scale solar farms and battery storage facilities pose public health risks.
The county's health department adopted rules asserting that utility-scale renewable energy projects could create harmful noise, visual impacts, and potential contamination concerns. County leaders said the regulations were designed to protect rural residents from prolonged exposure to industrial energy facilities.
DTE Energy challenged the measures in court, arguing the health claims were not supported by scientific or medical evidence. A circuit court judge agreed and invalidated the rules earlier this month.
Despite the decision, the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue an appeal.
Environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, have criticized the county's stance as unsupported by evidence and contrary to Michigan's clean energy goals.
The dispute comes as state law allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to override local zoning decisions for renewable energy projects. The case is expected to continue through the appeals process, according to Bridge Michigan.