Michigan County Tries to Block Solar Farms Citing Health Risks

St. Clair County plans to appeal a judge's decision striking down the county's attempt to use health policies to regulate renewable energy projects.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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St. Clair County in Michigan's Thumb region is preparing to appeal a judge's ruling that struck down the county's public health regulations aimed at limiting the development of solar farms and battery storage facilities. The county's medical director claims the energy projects pose health risks like "visual pollution" and "harmful noise", but environmentalists and utilities argue the county lacks scientific evidence to support these claims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between local governments and state policies around renewable energy development. Several Michigan communities have expressed frustration with a 2023 law that allows the state to override local rules for renewable projects, and St. Clair County is trying to use local health regulations as a way to exert more control. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how much authority local governments have to restrict large-scale renewable energy projects in their communities.

The details

St. Clair County adopted public health regulations to curb the development of solar farms and battery storage facilities, citing concerns over "visual pollution," "harmful noise" and unspecified "contamination." DTE Energy and Portside Solar sued the county, arguing the local officials lack the legal authority to enact such regulations and that the health department's claims are not supported by scientific evidence. A judge sided with the energy companies and overturned the county's rules, but St. Clair County is now appealing the decision.

  • In January 2025, St. Clair County's medical director Dr. Remington Nevin issued a memo arguing the local health department has the authority to draft guidance to protect public health.
  • In early 2026, a St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Michael West ruled against the county, striking down its public health regulations on renewable energy projects.

The players

St. Clair County Board of Commissioners

The county government in Michigan's Thumb region that voted to appeal a judge's ruling against its public health regulations on solar farms and battery storage projects.

Dr. Remington Nevin

The St. Clair County medical director who argued the local health department has the authority to draft guidance to protect public health from energy facilities.

DTE Energy

Michigan's largest electric utility that sued St. Clair County over its attempt to use local health regulations to limit renewable energy projects.

Portside Solar

A company that has solar projects in St. Clair County and joined DTE Energy's lawsuit against the county's regulations.

Judge Michael West

The St. Clair County Circuit Court judge who ruled against the county, striking down its public health regulations on renewable energy projects.

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What they’re saying

“I think we owe it to the community to follow through with what we started.”

— Steven Simasko, St. Clair County Board of Commissioners chair (bridgemi.com)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appeal the judge's ruling, and they may take the case all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments and state policies around renewable energy development. While Michigan has a law allowing the state to override local rules for renewable projects, St. Clair County is trying to use local health regulations as a way to exert more control. The outcome of this appeal could set an important precedent for how much authority local governments have to restrict large-scale renewable energy projects in their communities.