Press Release Regarding Approval of Headland Solar Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2025
Livingston County, Michigan
Cohoctah Township and Conway Township Joint Press Release
Approval of Headland Solar Project Reflects Local Control and Community Values
Cohoctah Township and Conway Township announce the conditional approval of the Headland Solar Project within their respective jurisdictions. This decision underscores both townships’ commitment to maintaining local control over land use decisions, ensuring that renewable energy development occurs in a manner consistent with community standards, agricultural preservation, and carefully crafted zoning ordinances.
The State of Michigan’s enactment of Public Act 233 of 2023 represents a misguided, “one-size-fits-all” approach to siting large-scale energy projects. While the Act seeks to shift decision-making power away from local communities, both Cohoctah and Conway Townships emphasize that local zoning authority remains intact, except in the narrow circumstances identified under Section 226(8). The Townships are actively participating in the ongoing appeal of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s October 10, 2024 Order, which attempts to rewrite the Act and wrestle away authority from municipalities that best understand the needs and character of their communities.
Beyond Lansing, the national agenda has increasingly turned toward rejecting taxpayer subsidized and tax credits for green energy projects when they threaten to consume valuable and productive farmland. Cohoctah and Conway Townships share these concerns and have acted responsibly to balance competing interests. Both townships previously adopted compatible renewable energy ordinances and solar overlay districts, designed to mitigate adverse impacts while still allowing projects such as Headland Solar to proceed under clear and enforceable conditions.
“Our community has spent years building zoning tools to balance renewable energy with farmland preservation. The approval of the Headland Solar Project proves that local governments can do this responsibly. Lansing’s Public Act 233 is a misguided attempt at a one-size-fits-all solution, but Cohoctah Township will continue to defend our authority and ensure projects like this respect both our residents and our farmland,” said Mark Fosdick, the Cohoctah Township Supervisor.
“Conway Township welcomes renewable energy when it fits within our local rules and overlay districts. The State’s effort to override local zoning is not only heavy-handed, it ignores the unique needs of communities like ours. We are standing with Cohoctah in appealing the Michigan Public Service Commission’s October 10, 2024 order because land use decisions should be made at the township level, not dictated from Lansing or Washington,” said Mike Brown, the Conway Township Supervisor.
While the project has been approved within these overlay districts, it is important to note that Headland Solar has thus far refused to provide sufficient answers and required documentation which are required by ordinance and incorporated into the conditions imposed as part of the approval process.
Headland Solar has not yet met the conditions we placed on their approval, and we will hold them accountable. Renewable energy developers must understand that our townships are not opposed to progress — but we are committed to making sure it happens on our terms, in line with local zoning, and without sacrificing productive farmland.
With the approval of this industrial solar development our two townships believe we have more than met our demonstrated need for siting green energy.
Cohoctah Township and Conway Township remain committed to protecting farmland, preserving community character, and ensuring that renewable energy development occurs under local—not state—control.
Contact: Cohoctah Township Supervisor Mark Fosdick
10518 Antcliff Rd., Fowlerville, MI 48836
(517) 546-0655
Conway Township Supervisor Mike Brown
8015 N. Fowlerville Rd., Fowlerville, MI 48836
(517) 223-0358