Credit score: “Thumb officers oppose new wind/photo voltaic legal guidelines.” Shawn Robinson.
Dec. 26, 2023.
michigansthumb.com ~~
In a major coverage change, Michigan townships have misplaced their means to self-govern land use and growth strategies for photo voltaic and wind farms, following the implementation of a brand new legislation signed final month.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into legislation the Clear Vitality & Local weather Motion Bundle, which is meant to assist battle towards local weather change however will even take away native management over wind and photo voltaic farms throughout the state. The brand new legislation will enable the state to have full management and approve giant wind, photo voltaic, and power proposals regardless of the native authoritys’ phrase.
The Clear Vitality and Local weather Motion Bundle will make Michigan the nationwide chief with a 100% clear power commonplace, assist decrease family utility prices, create tens of 1000’s of good-paying jobs, and shield Michigan’s air, water, and public well being, in line with a press launch from the governor’s workplace.
“I’m proud that these payments make Michigan one of the best state within the Midwest for local weather motion and the strongest state within the nation in the case of labor requirements for clear power manufacturing,” Whitmer stated within the launch. “Collectively we’re combating for our air, land, and water, enhancing public well being and defending our valuable pure sources for future generations.”
Though the brand new invoice could assist the state and its pure sources in the long term, many Thumb officers disagree with the final word resolution. Again in October when the invoice was handed by means of the state senate, Thumb counties made their assertion clear, that they didn’t certainly agree with the choice. 4 Tuscola County commissioners signed the decision opposing the legislation, stating that the Michigan Public Service Fee shouldn’t be allowed all of this authority and energy, and it ought to keep inside the townships.
As well as, Huron County Commissioner Steve Vaughn said comparable ideas earlier this yr throughout a commissioner’s assembly. He said that the Public Service Fee shouldn’t be allowed to inform counties and townships find out how to be zoned.
The Tuscola County Drain Fee has additionally gone on file stating its concern concerning the influence large-scale photo voltaic growth can have on farmland as they’d take a number of 1000’s of farms out of crop manufacturing.
The MSPC would have full management over the place these installations of wind and photo voltaic developments. The group says that it solely plans to make use of current native land that has already been used for power era.
