Letters: Readers on local control and proposed tobacco bans

Restore local control over solar, wind permits

With the passage of Public Act (PA) 233 of 2023 by the Legislature, the state may have irreparably harmed the move to more renewable resources for electricity generation. The act took away a local community’s ability to zone and regulate the development of wind, solar, and battery storage facilities, giving the Michigan Public Service Commission the sole authority to decide where renewable energy resources can be located throughout the state.

PA 233 also set a 50-foot setback distance from a nonparticipating property owner’s lot line, which will cause some property owners to be surrounded by seven-foot fences on two or even three sides of their property lines. No screening, berms, or greater distances will be possible. If a wind tower falls over, the regulations allow it to fall on neighboring nonparticipating property.

Not to mention, those who live within a half-mile of the wind or solar development will probably be hearing a constant hum or whooshing sound, as PA 233 set a decibel level of 55 at a home. Most communities that have passed ordinances have set decibel levels of 45 at the property line.

Local governments work to prevent these abuses, but now they don’t have a say. One size does not fit all, and this is not right for Michigan.

Mark Fosdick

Cohoctah Township supervisor

Banning menthol cigarettes could fuel illicit activities

Michigan’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes has sparked understandable questions and concerns. As someone who used to smoke menthol cigarettes, I understand the complexities of this issue. While health professionals advocate for measures to reduce smoking rates, I believe an outright ban may not be the most effective solution.

There is little evidence to suggest that a ban will deter people from smoking menthol cigarettes. The FDA’s struggle to enforce existing regulations, such as illegal disposable vapes from overseas, raises doubts about the efficacy of a new ban. Without a robust enforcement strategy, such a ban could be ineffective at best and potentially worsen the problem it aims to solve.

Instead we need policies prioritizing public health and social justice.

Redirect advertising dollars to Black-owned media companies and organizations. Billions have been spent to promote smoking among Black and Brown communities, yet little has been invested in efforts to address the issue within these communities.

A ban on menthol cigarettes could also fuel illicit activities, particularly in cities like Detroit. Instead, we need to focus on addressing the root causes of smoking through targeted interventions and community-led initiatives.

Rodney Deas

Detroit