Petition is addressed to:
Groveland Township boards, Rep David Martin, Congresswoman Elissa Stotkin, Senator Ruth Johnson, Representative Lisa McClain, MPSC
As members of Groveland Township, we are bringing H.O.P.E. to our community. We are deeply concerned about the proposed development by Vesper Energy, aka Woodson Energy Storage LLC, which seeks to build a massive 300MW battery energy storage system in our township. This project, if allowed to progress, would become the largest in our state, surpassing the 220MW site currently under construction by DTE in Trenton, Michigan. This project poses serious environmental, health, and safety risks to residents of Groveland Twp and surrounding areas. There have been 2 proposed sites, the latest is on top of the Marshall Formation Aquifer. Our purpose for this petition is to garner support to STOP the project completely. Our Community is reaching to all surrounding communities to SIGN this petition and put pressure on the Groveland Twp boards and the Township boards of the surrounding communities. Groveland Twp = 5,912 residents, Holly Twp = 12,148 residents, Springfield Twp = 14,703 residents, Brandon Twp = 15,362 residents, Rose Twp = 6,160 residents, Atlas Twp = 7,993 residents.
The story
This concern is no fairy tale. There is a true toxic risk. The project lacks transparency. Vesper's proposal appears to sidestep proper community consultation, thus bypassing the voice of those who call Groveland Twp home. This isn't just about land-use; it's about ensuring that decisions impacting our lives are made transparently and with accountability.
Why This Matters
- Groveland Twp plans to allow a BESS to be constructed on property that sits on top of the MARSHALL FORMATION AQUIFER, which provides a water source for 52 counties in Michigan and is a source for Holly Michigan. This should especially concern all residents who use well water.
- A battery leak or fire, causing thermal runaway, from such a massive installation could contaminate our air and water, threatening not only Groveland Twp but also neighboring communities and the Marshall Formation Aquifer.
Community Impact
- The proximity of this proposed facility to our homes is alarming. Some residences could be merely 50 feet away from the site, putting families and children's safety and well-being at potential risk from industrial encroachment.
- Legitimate concerns over health & safety, noise, and the significant impact it will have on our daily lives.
- Both sites are within 3.5 miles of 4 schools, putting students and staff at risk.
- If a fire occurred, it could require mass shelter-in-place or evacuation orders, affecting 6 townships (Groveland, Holly, Springfield, Brandon, Rose and Atlas) County parks, State recreation areas, Golf courses, Boating access points, and ski areas
- Mt Holly, ORV state park, Holly Rec, Georgia Carpet, Holly Campground, Holly Area Schools and more will ALL need plans set in place by the proper authorities, to shelter in place or evacuate if there is a fire.
- Such a fire cannot be extinguished with water, and our local fire department would require specialized hazmat training—training we would never need if the project were not built.
Lack of Transparency and Community Input
- Vesper’s proposal has lacked transparency and adequate community consultation. Decisions of this magnitude—affecting our health, safety, and quality of life—must be made openly and with full accountability to the public.
- Residents have raised legitimate concerns, in meetings and in writing, yet Groveland Township officials have failed to include much of this input in their decision making. Public records or meeting summaries may not hold all items from the community.
- The Groveland Twp website states, 'it's staff and people are committed to the following mission: to be fair and unbiased to all, to protect the goals and values of our community, to solicit public input to the continuous process of community management, to continuously improve service to the community." However the actions have not matched the words.
- Residents have been told by the township "it's being shoved down our throats".
Environmental and Safety Concerns
Groveland Township’s own website describes our area as “sits in the midst of natures best, is a quiet community where quality of life is important.” Introducing such a large-scale industrial structure (BESS) would irrevocably alter our landscape and way of life, a change that the community is predominately against.
- Vesper Energy initially targeted a private owned, undeveloped 62-acre wooded site off Tucker Rd & East Holly Rd, behind the River Church (Site A), Vesper continues to lease that property, despite public opposition.
- Now, the township has signed an option to lease a second site to Vesper Energy off Grange Hall Road, near Worden Rd, across from the Mines of Oakland County (Site B)— This is a wooded site just over 37 acres on top of the Marshall Formation Aquifer, which is sandstone. This lease was approved by a 3–2 vote of the Township Board on September 3, 2025, despite unresolved concerns raised by two board members.
Reason
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:
- A Workable Incompatible Ordinance (WIO)
- A Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO)
- 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:
- Groveland Twp, Oakland County (Woodson Energy Storage)
- Columbia Twp Van Buren County (Gypsum Peak Energy Storage)
- 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 Action
We, 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, Senator 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
Local environmental concerns. Air qaulity due to asma, working in the automotive electric, i know the hazards Battery fires, remediation causing noise and environmental pollution and many more risks to public....