by Joseph Schultz
TownBroadcast has learned that Spearmint Energy has put an indefinite pause on its energy storage project in Leighton Township. The project was to build an energy storage facility on 140th Avenue, near the electrical substation.
Spearmint Energy last September told the Leighton Township Planning Commission that they wanted to use lithium iron phosphate batteries to store electricity during low demand times, and release it during high demand times. The goal was to stabilize the electrical grid to reduce brownouts.
When asked why Spearmint was pausing the project, Mary Matze, manager of development said, “While Spearmint Energy has elected to not immediately pursue permitting on the Pinecrest Battery Energy Storage project due to challenges with interconnecting to the grid in the region, we still believe in the potential of the project and continue to evaluate it as part of our broader national development strategy.”
Though the project is on hold, the Planning Commission will continue work on crafting a new energy storage ordinance. The township needs the ordinance because in 2023, the Michigan legislature passed a law that allows developers to seek state approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission, if the local zoning authority denies a permit.
The law requires that a developer must first apply for a permit from the local government. If the local zoning authority denies the permit, takes longer than 120 days to make a decision, or demands stricter requirements than what is allowed in state law, the developer can seek relief from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Though Planning Commission members see the need for the ordinance, they are not thrilled about it. Planning Chairman Ben Potts stated he wants the ordinance to be the most restrictive possible, but easy to work with. Commissioner Thomas Snyder echoed that sentiment, explaining that they wanted to, “try to get a better deal for the community.”
