Committee launches effort to undo laws giving solar, wind siting authority to state

Lansing — A group seeking to upend newly minted laws allowing the state instead of local communities to decide on permitting for large-scale solar and wind farms launched a campaign Thursday to get the issue placed on the November statewide ballot.

Officials for Citizens for Local Choice said the committee is finalizing the ballot initiative language and plans to collect signatures in the coming months in an effort to restore local control of the permitting and zoning processes for large solar and wind farms.

The initiative would repeal laws passed in the fall that take decision-making power out of the hands of local governments and give that power to the governor-appointed Michigan Public Service Commission. The Democratic-led Legislature and governor — who are pushing for more renewable energy options in the state — have said the state's involvement would resolve delays, debate and litigation at the local level, where many projects were being refused permits.

Citizens for Local Choice says it has bipartisan support and is ready to organize to undo the work of the Legislature, whose legislation largely pre-empted local control to make it easier for Michigan to meet its clean energy goals.

"We refuse to sit on the sidelines as local control gets stripped from our communities. We are committed to this effort and believe we have a real chance to rightfully restore control back into the locals’ hands,” said Norm Stephens, a committee member for the group. "This will no doubt be a tough battle, but it is a battle that thousands of Michigan voters and I are ready to take on.”

The committee intends to submit ballot initiative language this week to the Board of State Canvassers for approval. If the approval is obtained, the committee will have 180 days to collect 356,958 signatures, but will actually be under an even tighter timeframe if it hopes to make the May 29 signature deadline for inclusion on the November ballot. Otherwise, organizers would have to wait until the November 2026 election.

The legislation at issue largely passed along party lines in the House and Senate after packed committee hearings on the bills drew community members from across the state. Critics argued the state had no right to assume authority over local, largescale renewable projects; others argued their own right to sell or lease farmland to energy companies was being inhibited by local governments' refusal to allow solar or wind projects.

Whitmer signed the siting bills and other clean energy legislation into law in late November with a vow that Michigan would lead the nation's "clean energy future."

Michigan Public Service Commission Chairman Dan Scripps has said Michigan likely needs about 209,000 additional acres of land, about 0.55% of Michigan's land, for wind and solar power generation to meet its 60% renewal energy goal by 2035. The state already has about 17,000 acres already occupied by wind and solar operations.

Over the past several years, many Michigan townships, cities and counties have set zoning policies and regulations that effectively block or limit major wind and solar projects within their borders. Local officials who have voted in favor of allowing solar and wind projects have found themselves subject to recall efforts.

To sidestep those obstacles, the new siting law allows the Michigan Public Service Commission — a three member regulatory panel appointed by the governor — to authorize large-scale solar and wind projects.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com