The Lima Township Board held a special meeting on June 12, to approve a resolution that imposes a temporary moratorium on Power Generating Facilities.
This decision comes in response to the news that Consumers Energy has an option to purchase 120 acres of land off of S. Lima Center Road. With this came the possibility that the land might become the home to a natural gas-burning 1.4-gigawatt plant.
Lima’s moratorium is for 12 months on the establishing, permitting, consideration, approval, location, construction, and/or installation of any power generating facilities in the township.
Stating there is no plan right now; Consumers Energy said the land is only an option as they continue to evaluate other options to meet future energy needs that are consistent with their planning process and long-term goals. Consumers said at this time, their plans do not include a plant sited in Lima Township, but they will continue to communicate with the public if anything changes.
One section of Lima’s moratorium resolution states in part, “the Township is legitimately invested in ensuring that power generating facilities do not interfere with other land uses, or have substantial negative impacts on the environment, public health, safety, and welfare…”
The resolution said, “the Township Board finds that it is necessary and reasonable to establish a temporary moratorium on the establishment and use of power generating facilities within the Township for 12 months or until the Township has enacted a regulatory ordinance setting forth the regulations for the establishment and use of power generating facilities within the Township, whichever comes first.”
With the township hall meeting room full of residents and others at the June 12th meeting, Lima Township Supervisor Bill VanRiper said this is the step they were advised to do as it will give them the time needed to put in place regulations that they do not already have to deal with situations such as this. He said they are not just rolling over on this and will take steps to protect the community and township. He told those gathered they are all in this together and they should contact their state lawmakers and representatives to express their concerns and questions.
Community Concerns
The meeting was a full house at 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. Some stood and spoke during public comment with many expressing their concerns and questions. A few younger residents, inluding a nine year old boy, also stood, spoke and expressed their fears for the future if such a power plant was established down the road from their homes.
One township resident who spoke was Victoria Schon. Citing the recent public meeting with representatives from Consumers Energy, she said many residents came prepared with legitimate questions, but unfortunately the representatives were unable or unwilling to provide meaningful answers regarding several critical issues, including:
- Potential impacts on human health and safety.
- Air pollution and emissions.
- Noise pollution affecting nearby homes and farms.
- Light pollution impacting the rural night skies.
- Water usage and potential groundwater contamination.
- Soil quality and environmental degradation.
- Effects on local agriculture, livestock, and food production.
- Impacts on wildlife, habitat, and natural ecosystems.
- The actual size and scale of the proposed facility.
“These are not minor details,” Schon said. “They are fundamental questions that deserve clear, transparent answers before any consideration of such a project moves forward.”
Photo: Lima Township Hall’s meeting was full on June 12. Photo by Lonnie Huhman
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
