OTSEGO COUNTY -- The company that was considering building a solar energy farm on state land in Hayes Township near Gaylord, now says they will not be using state land for it.
The proposed solar farm had some state lawmakers, including several from Northern Michigan, calling for the firing of DNR officials and criticizing the idea of pushing a clean energy initiative that involves clearing trees.
In a statement to 9 & 10 News, RWE Clean Energy spokesperson, Patricia Kakridas said they are not seeking to lease state owned land for this project.
Kakridas said they are developing a 200-megawatt solar project in Otsego County on more than 1,000 acres of privately owned land.
Kakridas said they reached out to all landowners adjacent to the project, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources but ultimately decided to move forward with two private landowners in Hayes Township.