LANSING — The Michigan House voted to repeal landmark solar and wind legislation Wednesday, a priority of Republicans since they retook the chamber this year.
In 2023, the then-Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a set of climate laws setting clean energy standards and granting new authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission, or MPSC, a governor-appointed utility regulator.
The MPSC gained the power to approve large-scale solar and wind projects over the objections of local governments.
“They silenced that voice at the local level, handing it over to three unelected bureaucrats who may have never even set foot in the communities they now have the power to overrule,” said Rep. Greg Alexander, (R) District 98, Carsonville.
Developers still must begin their application at the local level, but could go to the MPSC if they feel a project has been wrongly denied or if that local authority isn’t cooperating.
The bills to limit the MPSC’s authority — HB 4027 and 4028 — passed the House with all Republicans in favor and all present Democrats opposed.
“My townships believe that the local control should be within the township, the cities or the village or the county, not the state,” said Marlene Housley, a Clare County commissioner.
Lawmakers and local officials have shared concerns that the policies could drown out resistance to projects that communities oppose.
“Developers ought to be collaborating with the locals who know their communities the best, instead of steamrolling them,” said Rep. Pauline Wendzel, (R) District 39, Watervliet. “So real progress happens when those closest to the land have a seat at the table, and that’s what these bills aim to do.”
Advocates say that the standards set out in the 2023 climate plan would be difficult to meet without the MPSC’s authority over projects.
“Our citing law is an incredibly important piece of the puzzle,” said Charlotte James, chief policy officer of the Michigan Environmental Council. “Without them, we will not be able to build the amount of renewables that are needed.”
A spokesperson for the MPSC says that no override applications have been filed under the policy since its implementation in November.
“They made sure to create ample opportunities for local governments and local people to have input into the process,” James said. “So we’re still — that local input part is still playing out.”