20.11.2025, 15:56

Update to Senator Elissa Slotkin - from originally typed Congresswoman
Correction to formatting under "Wider Context" section because the first bullet sentence was separated in to two bullets


New justification:

We need to stand together to protect our community and demand that our local government and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) uphold public safety over corporate interests. We cannot allow a decision that will impact our environment, health, and quality of life to be made without our consent. The potential environmental impact, including the risk of toxic materials, should not be overlooked.

The lack of transparency and communication is concerning and raises questions about the project's overall feasibility and integrity.

We are closely watching the story of Moss Landing. We do not want a catastrophic event in Groveland Twp.

Key Issues With the Lease

• Egregious
• 40-year term, giving Vesper control over local land for generations
• Permission to drill groundwater wells up to 500 feet deep, drawing from the aquifer
• No requirement to update or replace equipment with safer models
• No guaranteed community benefit: a conditional $250,000 annual contribution—only payable once commercial operations begin and if energy is sold
• No guaranteed power benefit for local residents—energy will be sold to the highest bidder, in or out of state
• This lease prioritizes corporate profit over community welfare.
• NO Environmental Impact Report (EIR) conducted
• The BESS is a soft target. In the lease, the security is minimal, warning signs, locked gates, putting our community at risk.

Given the threat to our community's safety and the preservation of our natural environment, it is crucial for us, as residents, to voice our opposition at ALL meetings and to write letters. Tell Groveland to choose People Over Profit.

Failure of Local Representation

• Residents were told that under Public Act 233 (PA 233), the township had “no choice” but to cooperate with Vesper. This is false statement. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) allows local townships to adopt local ordinances for large scale energy projects; such as:

1. A Workable Incompatible Ordinance (WIO)
2. A Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO)
3. An Unworkable Incompatible Ordinance

• Groveland’s Planning Commission drafted a WIO (“Draft A”) in October 2024, passing 5-2, but it has never been brought before the Township Board for approval. Instead, a weaker version (“Draft B”) has been created by Wade Trim, which provides even less protection for residents.
• Resident concerns are minimized.
• Vesper Energy representative threatened if the township didn't work with them, they would just go to the state.
• Vesper has never submitted a site plan, despite repeated requests.
• Groveland township lawyer advised our township not to join the lawsuit being brought by Foster Swift against the state regarding PA233. Residents felt by joining the lawsuit, it would give more support to the other 79 townships. The decision by the board not to join the lawsuit was the opposite of what the residents voiced.

Wider Context

• Vesper Energy is pursuing three large BESS projects in Michigan:

1. Groveland Twp, Oakland County (Woodson Energy Storage)
2. Columbia Twp Van Buren County (Gypsum Peak Energy Storage)
3. Livingston Twp, Otsego County (Livingston Energy Storage)

• Each project is managed under separate LLCs—companies that may lack the financial strength to address disasters such as fires or leaks. If such an event occurred, residents could be left without recourse or compensation, as insurance companies typically do not cover these incidents.
• Bedrock has a current contract to mine the property at site B.
• Michigan law PA 233 went in to effect 11/29/24 that designates the MPSC as the approval body for large scale renewable energy projects.
• Media has been one sided.

.Our Call to ActionWe, the undersigned, call on:

• The Groveland Township Planning Commission and Board of Trustees & MPSC to deny Vesper Energy the right to construct a BESS facility. Representative David Martin, CongresswomanSenator Elissa Slotkin, Senator Ruth Johnson, and Representative Lisa McClain to act on behalf of their constituents to protect our communities from unsafe and unproven industrial energy projects.

We urge all residents of Groveland Township and those in surrounding communities—Holly, Springfield, Brandon, Rose and Atlas Townships—to sign this petition to protect our homes, schools, environment, and way of life.

We invite all news worthy media, including Tri-County Times, WXYZ-TV 7 News, WDIV-TV Local 4, WWJ-TV CBS 62, to contact us for an exclusive story.

In Summary

• The proposed BESS project threatens public safety, clean water, and air quality and would increase noise 24/7.
• It lacks transparency, accountability, and community benefit.
• It is incompatible with Groveland’s mission and character as a rural, nature-centered community.

Together, we can protect our township and ensure that future decisions are made by and for the people who live here—not by outside corporations seeking profit. Sign today to say NO to Vesper Energy’s 300MW Battery Energy Storage