Oshtemo Township Recall Effort Targets Five Board Members Over Battery Storage Fight

A Farm, a Battery Project, and a Recall Petition

A dispute over a proposed 260-megawatt battery storage facility in Oshtemo Township has escalated into a recall campaign targeting five members of the Township Board.

The conflict centers on a project by developer NewEdge Renewable Power, which leased a 52-acre property from an out-of-state landowner in 2023. Residents say they learned about the deal only after it was already in motion.

"We do need green energy and energy storage, but I think very thoughtful placement is critical. And our voices haven't been heard."

Katie Schneider, co-owner of Little Pistol Farms

Schneider and her husband Ken Schneider own and operate Little Pistol Farms, a 29-acre pumpkin and produce farm adjacent to the proposed site. The couple says they became what Katie calls "accidental farmers" committed to environmentally friendly practices after living on the property for 10 years.

The Schneiders say the battery project poses direct threats to their livelihood. Ken Schneider warns that the high-pitched frequency from DC/AC inverters used in battery energy storage systems drives away bees. Their pumpkins require pollination.

"Without bees, our farm goes bankrupt."

Ken Schneider, co-owner of Little Pistol Farms

A Moratorium and a Recall

In response to community pressure, Oshtemo Township passed a moratorium on renewable energy development. Township officials are now working to draft a compatible renewable energy zoning ordinance, with a goal of having a draft ready by June, according to reporting by Public Media Network.

The moratorium came after residents raised concerns at both the May 12 Township Board meeting and the May 14 Planning Commission meeting. Issues included fire risk, heat, noise from cooling systems, and the impact on rural character.

Township attorney Porter provided updates on recent court rulings that have limited local ordinance authority over battery energy storage systems, or BESS. The board discussed the possibility of advocating in Lansing for stronger local control, according to Public Media Network.

Despite the moratorium, the political fallout continued. A recall effort targeting five Oshtemo Township Board members was organized by residents opposed to how the board handled the battery storage proposal. According to News Channel 3, the recall effort is being delayed until later this year. Organizers told the station they want to avoid conflicts with other elections.

State Law Limits Local Control

The Oshtemo conflict illustrates a broader tension across Michigan. Public Act 233, the state law governing renewable energy siting, requires Michigan to have 2,500 megawatts of battery energy storage by 2029. As of May 2026, only one utility-scale battery project is operating in the state.

That project is the 100-megawatt Tibbits Energy Storage installation in Coldwater Township in Branch County. It consists of 80 rectangular battery units spread across the property to prevent thermal runaway, a process in which lithium-ion batteries overheat.

"The long-term sustainability of these projects to provide revenue for the township, for the schools, for the county and for the entire area is a major upside."

Don Rogers, Coldwater Township Supervisor

Rogers says Coldwater Township constantly welcomes visiting local officials who want to see the facility. He urges other communities to negotiate with developers rather than block projects outright.

"Work with them. Have a dialogue. Don't push them away. Don't put up a roadblock until you talk to them and find out."

Don Rogers, Coldwater Township Supervisor

Under Public Act 233, communities cannot simply reject renewable energy developers. If local governments and developers cannot reach an agreement, developers can take their case to the Michigan Public Service Commission. The result is a generic state-mandated agreement called a compatible renewable energy ordinance, or CREO.

Community Conversations Begin

Oshtemo Township announced it would hold monthly Community Conversations to address resident concerns about battery storage projects and other topics, according to reporting by mlive.com. The township passed the moratorium after NewEdge Power approached officials about the 260-megawatt facility in 2024.

Multiple community members have spoken out against the proposed battery storage facility during public meetings. The battery storage issue was cited as a primary reason residents supported the recall campaign against several board members.

The Oshtemo Township Board faces a narrow legal window to shape how, and whether, battery storage projects can be sited in residential areas. The outcome could set a precedent for other Michigan communities grappling with similar proposals.

Township Supervisor Cheri Bell has not been directly quoted on the recall effort. In a separate statement about the township's $19.5 million sewer expansion project, Bell said the investment is about "ensuring the next generation is set up for success by creating a reliable, modern sanitary sewer system that will serve our community for decades."

The recall petition process for Oshtemo Township board members will resume later this year, according to News Channel 3.