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Wind Power News: Michigan
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
79 Michigan communities challenge state’s solar, wind farm permit rules in court
Nearly 80 Michigan municipalities have challenged the legality of the state’s processing of permitting requests for large-scale solar and wind energy facilities – a controversial policy passed by Michigan Democratic lawmakers last year that diminishes local control. The legal appeal, filed Nov. 8 in the Michigan Court of Appeals, argues the Michigan Public Service Commission exceeded the powers granted it by the Legislature when it adopted an order Oct. 10 that governs the permitting process for solar arrays and wind turbine . . . Complete story »
Mackinaw City’s wind turbines come down
Two structures that have stood tall in Mackinaw City for more than two decades have been dismantled and sent to be recycled. During the month of May, the two, 230-foot, wind turbine generators just south of the Mackinac Bridge, were decommissioned, taken apart, and removed. Mackinaw City Manager Patrick Wyam says Crystal Flash did the work extraordinarily well. However, he says, the skyline will not be the same. “Without those landmarks in there, along with the bridge, it is a . . . Complete story »
Midwest states taking power to ban wind and solar projects away from local communities
As the number of wind and solar farms increases, so does opposition in the rural areas where they’re being built. While more counties and townships passed restrictions in the last year, some states are responding by passing laws making it harder for local governments to say no to wind and solar. The land in Piatt County in central Illinois is flat, and it’s easy to see for miles around Jerry Edwards’ house in a rural area north of Mansfield. In . . . Complete story »
Group aims to repeal key piece of Michigan Democrats’ clean energy package
Michigan’s 100% clean energy goal faces a potentially imperiling challenge from a petition that would repeal a new law giving state regulators the authority to decide where to locate large wind and solar projects. An initiative petition from a group called Citizens for Local Choice would undo a part of the new law preempting local policies that are more stringent than the state’s zoning requirements for constructing clean energy and storage facilities. Last week, Citizens for Local Choice cleared a . . . Complete story »
Group gets OK to collect signatures to restore local control over solar, wind permits
A citizens initiative seeking to restore local control over large-scale wind and solar projects in Michigan can begin collecting signatures after gaining approvals Friday for a petition that would repeal a newly minted law transferring permitting authority to the state. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Friday voted to approve the 100-word summary and the form of the petition initiative, hurdles that needed to be cleared before the group could begin collecting signatures from voters. The ultimate summary approved . . . Complete story »
To ram through giant energy projects, states strip power from local governments
Clean energy developers had planned a 75-turbine wind farm in mid-Michigan’s Montcalm County before local voters shot down the idea in 2022 and recalled seven local officials who had supported it. About 150 miles (240 kilometers) southeast, Clara Ostrander in Monroe County found herself at the center of a similar conflict as rising medical costs forced her and her husband to consider selling land her family has owned for 150 years. Leasing a parcel to an incoming solar farm could . . . Complete story »
Ballot initiative to restore local control of energy siting
At the start of the new year, Consumers Energy powered up 72 new wind turbines in Gratiot County near the Clinton County line. It’s Consumer’s fifth wind farm in Michigan, with more clean energy projects to come. A recently signed clean energy law gives state officials the ability to decide where these projects go. Many are upset with the law, and some have even formed a group to stop it with a ballot initiative. With Michigan’s new law mandating 100% . . . Complete story »
Michigan’s new law shifts control of solar, wind farm development from local to state
In a significant policy change, Michigan townships have lost their ability to self-govern land use and development methods for solar and wind farms, following the implementation of a new law signed last month. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Clean Energy & Climate Action Package, which is intended to help fight against climate change but will also take away local control over wind and solar farms across the state. The new law will allow the state to have full . . . Complete story »
Local officials oppose new clean energy legislation
The “Clean Energy Future Bill” aims to make Michigan use 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040 but many municipalities are against one part of the legislation. That part of the legislation, they said, will take away some of their authorities.* “We spent a lot of time, a lot of energy and a lot of money on our master plans to put together the communities that they want to live in, based upon the information that they told us what they . . . Complete story »
Michigan Legislature votes to give state panel power over wind, solar projects
The Michigan Legislature voted Wednesday to empower a state commission to preempt local governments’ decisions on whether to authorize solar and wind projects, moving bills to overhaul energy laws to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her likely signature. The Senate voted 20-18, along party lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans in opposition of legislation that would let the three-member Michigan Public Service Commission decide where large-scale solar parks and wind turbines are constructed. Currently, the authority rests with local . . . Complete story »
