State of Michigan needs to press "pause" on Ford's EV battery plant in marshall, michigan

Commentary by Rebecca Glotfelty

s​The State of Michigan is going full-steam ahead with this corporate welfare project and corporate land grab despite so many red flags. This project inappropriately uses state and federal tax dollars. The amount of money spent in no way justifies the small return on the investment when compared to the enormous social, environmental and economic losses. This project is also a risk to our national security due to the Ford/CATL relationship. Ford has never manufactured an EV battery and can not do so without licensing technology from the Chinese Company CATL. Ford originally stated that Chinese managers will oversee the plant. Ford will be producing lithium batteries but CATL just announced it is working on a battery which uses sodium. Will the lithium batteries be old technology by the time the plant is up and running in 2026? As of now, China controls 50% of the world's lithium supply and CATL has the market share of battery sales world wide. Why are we bolstering a Chinese Mega company? This relationship makes America MORE dependent on China and the Chinese Government. Ford was just trying to get a patent to repossess one's car. What kind of technology will China be putting in every Ford car that is purchased by an American? Some software requires updates or you can't use them. Could my car suddenly freeze up in three years? We're not talking about Chinese toys. We are talking about this technology being used in a large percentage of American vehicles. We will be dependent on a technology controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. This is especially troubling as China continues to flex its muscle in the South China Seas. President Biden has vowed to come to Taiwan's defense. Could we end up at war with China? Maybe this is how China plans to control us? These are things we SHOULD consider before rushing into agreements. We must not be naive. Lastly, we are destroying nearly 2000 acres of farmland for this megasite. The Marshall Township Website calls it, "Some of the best farmland in Calhoun County" and therefore the state. Why are we destroying farmland during a global climate crises?! During a time of global food scarcity? America's Farmland is being lost to drought, flooding and fires. The breadbasket of the world - Ukraine, is currently being destroyed by Russia, causing people in Pakistan and Africa to go hungry. Why would Michigan destroy one of our most valuable resources when there are vacant industrial sites in our state? Agriculture is a multi-billon dollar industry in Michigan. This is some of the BEST farmland in Michigan yet we destroy it for EV Batteries, an unproven solution to our environmental crisis. Our Governor doesn't value farmland , but the Chinese Government does. China is rapidly buying up farmland across the country and it is becoming a growing concern among U.S. military officials. Some properties are located in close proximity to military bases and sensitive infrastructure. Stop the Megasite!