(The Center Square) – Republicans in the Michigan House have proposed legislation which would change the zoning laws for clean energy projects.
While they argue it returns control to local municipalities, clean energy advocacy groups have come out against the changes.
Newly-introduced House Bills 4027-28 amends previous legislation, which laid out a new statewide clean energy standard, requiring 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040. House Bill 4027 removes the requirement that zoning ordinances be subject to that standard.
House Bill 4028 amends a measure passed in 2023 which shifted control of the certification of certain wind and solar energy facilities and energy storage facilities to the “state,” as well as the regulation of “certain” local ordinances.
Of the House’s 58 Republicans, 50 have joined in co-sponsoring the legislation. No Democrats have joined in support.
State Rep. Greg Alexander, R-Huron, introduced the bills, stating that it is time for more local control over zoning decisions.
“Local communities should have the final say on whether they want wind and solar sites within their borders,” Alexander said in a statement. “The Michigan Green New Deal that was imposed on local governments last session stripped locals of their authority to make such decisions and it amounted to a total lack of respect for the will of the people. I am working to rectify that wrong and bring this back to where the public has a say.”
The Michigan League of Conservation Voters, a clean energy advocacy group, argues the legislation threatens property rights and Michigan’s clean energy future.
“These bills would strip away the streamlined siting process for wind and solar projects, making it harder for Michigan to meet its clean energy goals while threatening property owners’ ability to lease their land for renewable energy development,” the league said in a statement.
They added that the new clean energy standard will support clean energy growth.
“Anti-clean energy legislators and special interests are attempting to undo this progress – preventing lower energy costs and stronger, healthier communities,” it said.
House Republicans argued in a press release that the unamended legislation strips “control away from local communities concerning solar and wind projects.”
“Under the law, the unelected Michigan Public Service Commission now has the power to override local decision-making authority on wind and solar siting,” it said. “Over 200,000 acres of land is estimated to be needed for these types of developments to meet accelerated and impractical energy mandates by 2035. Michigan currently has about 17,000 acres occupied by wind and solar operations, and rural areas across the state are expected to bear the brunt of expanded siting.”
House Bills 4027-28 were referred to the House Energy Committee, where they await consideration. Both bills are a package, meaning they must be passed together to go into effect.
