Nothing says "let's help the environment" like wiping out hundreds of acres of trees. At least that's what Michigan officials think.
The state's Department of Natural Resources revealed plans to level 420 acres of state forestland to make room for a solar farm.
This comes as the DNR faces dwindling revenues from hunting and fishing licenses, and Michigan falls behind building enough renewable energy fast enough to risk not meeting a key state climate goal - 100% clean energy by 2040.
We may chop down all of the REAL nature and replace it with manmade solar panels but at least we'll be 100% clean by 2040 ... in theory!
Leasing 4,000 acres of public land statewide is part of the DNR's plan to help remedy both problems in coming years. Officials said that state solar initiative may begin just west of Gaylord.
Public feedback, according to DNR director of public lands office Scott Whitcomb, has not been positive:
Not incredibly popular with everyone. I will be frank about that.
Questions have been raised, understandably so, by people who wonder how deforestation will provide any environmental benefit:
On the bright side, even though air quality will likely suffer and some of the state's most beautiful forestland will be eradicated… Michigan might hit its climate goal by 2040!
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