an energy project proposed by DTE Energy for Pulawaki and Belknap townships in Presque Isle County is a step closer to becoming a reality and residents aren’t happy.

The Presque Isle County Planning Commission voted seven-to-one recently to approve a special-use permit to allow DTE to build an 803-acre solar farm, which has spurred backlash from residents who would live near and among the solar panels.

Ground could break on the project next year.

On Nov. 9, the Planning Commission held a special meeting allowing the public to comment and vote on the permit and more that 200 people attended. The vast majority of people were opposed to the project, which DTE says will create 200 or more construction jobs and contribute millions of dollars to the local economy.

The Planning Commission, which was under a great amount of pressure to vote against granting the permit for DTE, had its back against the wall because, if the energy company complied with the criteria on the permit application and complied with local laws, denying the company’s request could have led to litigation.

It is also possible the state could have trumped the local government if the Planning Commission had vetoed the development project. New clean energy legislation would allow the state to circumvent local government if a deal can’t be struck between the local government and a clean energy developer. The Legislature has approved those bills and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign them.

DTE has been purchasing or entering into lease agreements with property owners to acquire the needed land for the project.

Presque Isle County resident Randy Peltz, who turned down an offer from DTE for his hunting property, called it suspect for a project of that magnitude to be sprung on residents so quickly after the new legislation in Lansing was passed.

He said that, until recently, there was no media coverage of a solar project, no meeting for the public to learn more about it, and no chatter on the streets about it. Peltz said he believes the decision to proceed with the special use permit was settled before residents had an opportunity to voice concerns or support.

“I’m not against green energy, but this is way too big of a project for this area right now,” he said. “The solar panels are only a small part of the project. There will be miles of underground wires and hundreds of thousands of parts to the system. There will be miles of fencing, and I just think it was pushed through too hard and fast. Right now, nobody is happy.”

DTE Energy Site Manager Jason Hannath provided information about the proposed project and tried to ease concerns some residents may have about the impact the project may have on the natural resources in the area.

“Solar power generation produces no air emissions compared to traditional forms of generation,” Hannath told the Presque Isle County Advance. He added that solar power is also one of the least costly forms of renewable energy.

Hannath, along with several members of the Planning Commission, did not return messages seeking comment left by The News on Thursday.

Planning Commission member Fran Brink said it was a difficult decision and she voted in favor of granting the special-use permit based on the responsibility of the commission. She said DTE complied with everything it needed to.

“All I can say is I listened to everyone and I’m politically neutral, unlike some who are trying to make it political,” she said. “This is a tough job and this was a tough decision.”

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, who represents Northeast Michigan and voted against the clean energy bills, said he has no doubt that, if the Planning Commission had denied the permit and the municipalities couldn’t strike a deal with DTE, the Michigan Public Service Commission would have granted DTE the needed permission as is spelled out in the newly passed bills. He said he also believes DTE waited until the legislation was passed before furthering the process in Presque Isle County.

DTE canceled the meeting with the Planning Commission three times, then had it scheduled for the day after the bills passed.

“They waited three different times and I called them and asked them why and they told me it was because of the legal notification and processing,” Cavitt said. “They said they had to make sure people were all notified who needed to be to avoid issues down the road. But they knew all along that a vote on the law was coming, and it just smells funny.”

Cavitt also said he expects legal challenges to the new clean energy legislation from entities such as the Michigan Association of Counties and the Michigan Association of Townships.

Mike Mahler, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce economic development director, said the vote to approve the permit may have been last week, but, under the surface, DTE has been working with economic development officials and local government leaders for about two years.

He said it is rare that a development project of that magnitude gets the green light in Northeast Michigan and he believes it will help provide good-paying jobs and boost the local economy, especially for businesses in Presque Isle County.

Mahler said the money the townships and county will receive from a payment in lieu of taxes from the company to the local governments will also help those local governments offer more services and provide some relief to their tight budgets.

“You saw a school bond millage proposal fail a couple weeks ago, and I understand people don’t want to pay any more in taxes,” Mahler said. “The only way to fix that is to increase the tax roll, and this will do that. They came to me about two years ago and it has been in the works for a long time and I think there will be a tremendous benefit for local small businesses.”