There is good news coming out of Governor Whitmer’s office this week (see news release here), as her Office, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), announced a decision to allow commercial solar development on Michigan farmland enrolled in PA 116. This opens up an additional 3.4 million acres in Michigan for solar development. 

We've seen even more related good news from the Michigan Public Service Commission (see news release here) who has indicated that it has approved Consumers Energy’s integrated resource plan, with key features that include:

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• Conducting annual competitive bidding administered by an independent third party for adding power generation capacity, including 1,200 MW of new solar energy from 2019-21. Consumers can own up to half of all the future additional capacity that it procures through competitive bidding and it must buy the remaining electricity through power purchase agreements with third parties, excluding Consumers affiliates.
• Modified the avoided cost rates and terms set in Case No. U-18090 for small, alternative power producers under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These changes include a five-year planning horizon (instead of 10 years) when determining whether the company needs additional capacity; updated avoided cost rates for energy from the independent producers based on wholesale power prices or forecasts; and capacity rates based on the company’s competitive bidding results.
• Approval of a financial compensation mechanism for power purchase agreements the company enters into with third-party power suppliers, including power producers under PURPA, as authorized by the 2016 energy laws to remove disincentives to arrange supplies from third parties.

 
NTH is in a prime position to help developers and utilities with their solar projects as we have the local knowledge and expertise through our Detroit, Northville, Lansing, and Grand Rapids offices. Early on in a new development, NTH can assist with the planning; including ecological studies, wetland delineations, Phase I & II site investigations, site civil engineering, and geotechnical engineering. Then as projects move forward, NTH can assist with permitting and regulatory requirements, as well as construction services and material testing. And as the project comes online, NTH can execute post construction surveys, mitigation, and habitat restoration that may be required.
 
 You can learn more about our services here as well. 

NTH today announced that Brett Schwenke joined the company as a Principal Scientist, bringing his expertise in environmental solutions in the energy, mining, solid waste and transportation markets, to support our clients. Mr. Schwenke is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in environmental consulting, wildlife biology, habitat restoration, and project management. Prior to joining NTH, Mr. Schwenke served in various leadership positions for engineering and environmental services firms where he developed an environmental / construction services division and led teams of compliance specialists, engineers, and surveyors. He has served as Principal and Senior Consultant for a natural resources consulting firm focusing on state and federal permitting, regulatory resources, inland lakes and streams, petroleum conveyance, natural gas conveyance, non-metallic mining, solid waste, roads and bridges, multi-use trails, renewable energy, and overhead and underground utilities. 
 
“Brett is an important strategic hire for us due to his extensive environmental background supporting utilities in both the public and private sectors,” said Jeffrey P. Jaros, COO and EVP at NTH Consultants. “We look forward to Brett strengthening our renewable energy initiatives as we expand our expertise and technical capabilities. He will be a valuable asset as we support our clients in their efforts to move toward cleaner, renewable energy systems.” 
 
Mr. Schwenke is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Science. He served in the U.S. Army as a Bridge Specialist/Combat Engineer where he received a letter of commendation and multiple decorations. Mr. Schwenke has been involved with, and served in, leadership positions with numerous private and public sector groups and associations. They include the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Steering Committee, the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority, the Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Advisory Board, the Community Mental Health Board of the Central UP, Midland County Parks & Recreation Commission, and the Board of Directors of the Economic Club of Marquette County. 
 
Mr. Schwenke joins our team of professionals that specialize in providing sustainable solutions to complex problems. Our specific services include environmental assessments, ecological studies, EA / EIS assistance, NEPA Assistance, habitat mitigation, wetland delineations for new combustion turbine plants, renewable energy, and transmission and distribution (linear facilities).

​About NTH Consultants, Ltd.
NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) has been providing professional engineering consulting services to the energy, urban renewal, water resources and infrastructure markets since 1968. From a small, Detroit-based, geotechnical engineering firm, our company has grown significantly providing a wide range of services in geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, and facilities engineering. For more than 50 years, NTH has helped our clients address some of the most challenging and complex issues facing our environment today and provides innovative and creative approaches for each project it undertakes. NTH is constantly exploring new technologies and solutions that are safe, well-developed, and cost effective for its clients. NTH is headquartered in Northville, MI and serves its diverse client base from five offices throughout Michigan and Ohio.