UP Gazette

State Representatives Karl Bohnak, Greg Markkanen, and Dave Prestin, along with State Senator Ed McBroom, have voiced their opposition to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) plan to deforest state land for green energy projects. The representatives are urging the governor and DNR leadership to reconsider their strategy amid public backlash.

"The DNR is tasked with responsibly managing our state land. There is nothing responsible about clear-cutting hundreds of acres timber to put up solar panels," said Bohnak. He criticized the lack of transparency in the decision-making process and emphasized that local officials were only learning about these plans through social media.

Markkanen highlighted what he perceives as a disregard for constitutional mandates by stating, "The willingness to replace Michigan trees with Chinese solar panels highlights the blatant ignorance within the DNR." He argued that such actions compromise Michigan's natural resources management goals.

Following public outcry over the recently exposed project plans, RWE Clean Energy announced it would not pursue expansion onto state forest land. Initially, RWE had requested that the DNR make land available for solar farm installations.

Prestin expressed concerns over financial motivations behind these initiatives: "The governor and DNR leadership continue to prove they will cross any line to push their agenda and make a quick buck at the expense of the taxpayer."

McBroom also critiqued past decisions involving state land use: "This is not the first state land to be converted from good use to solar." He cited previous instances where lands intended for other purposes were redirected toward green energy efforts under gubernatorial directives.