Gotion Inc. has temporarily suspended its permitting application with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) due to an ongoing legal dispute with Green Charter Township. The lawsuit is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The proposed project, known as “Project Elephant,” aims to establish an electric vehicle component manufacturing facility in Green Charter Township, Mecosta County. Gotion initially announced plans to build the facility in October 2022. By August 2023, the previous township board had approved a development agreement with the company. However, in March 2024, Gotion filed a lawsuit after a newly elected township board withdrew its support for the project.
Local residents have raised environmental concerns about the facility, particularly due to its association with China. These concerns have been a significant factor in the legal challenges facing the project.
In May 2024, Judge Jane M. Beckering issued an injunction requiring Green Charter Township to adhere to the development agreement with Gotion. The township subsequently appealed the injunction to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 6, 2024. Although both parties have agreed to a Stipulation Order to pause proceedings pending the appeal, the judge denied a stay of the injunction. The ruling mandates that the township must cooperate with Gotion “to the extent legally permissible.”
Chuck Thelen, President and CEO of Gotion Inc. North American Manufacturing, had previously indicated that the company was advancing with environmental studies and preparing necessary documentation for permit approvals despite the lawsuit. However, he recently confirmed that the permitting application with EGLE is now on hold as the legal process continues.
If the legal issues are resolved and the permitting process resumes, EGLE will review the permits and make recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA will then assess the request before returning it to EGLE for final approval.
The decision from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is still pending, and its outcome will significantly impact the future of Project Elephant. The resolution of this legal battle will determine whether Gotion can proceed with its plans to manufacture electric vehicle components in Mecosta County, potentially influencing the local economy and the broader electric vehicle industry.
Source: Big Rapids News
