Michigan House restores local control over large-scale renewable siting; bills pass 58-48

The Michigan House on April 29 passed two bills that repeal 2023 laws that gave the state authority to site large-scale wind, solar and battery projects, restoring primary siting power to local governments. House Bill 4027 and House Bill 4028 each passed on roll-call votes of 58-48 and were ordered to take immediate effect.

Supporters said the bills restore “local control” over land use decisions and give residents and locally elected officials the final voice on whether large renewable energy installations are sited in their communities. Representative Outman argued, “This isn't a debate about alternative energy. We all want sustainable, affordable energy. ... What we don't want ... is shutting local communities and residents out of the decision making process in their own backyards.”

Opponents said repealing the 2023 measures would undercut Michigan’s clean-energy transition and likely raise costs for households. Representative McKinney said the Clean Energy and Jobs Act will “lower household energy bills by around $297 a year by 2030 and $713 by 2040,” and warned that the bills “repeal progress and increase costs.” Representative McDonald likewise said she rose “in opposition to House Bills 4027 and 4028,” arguing the measures would ‘‘protect corporate profits’’ rather than ratepayers.

Lawmakers who spoke for repeal cited local planning and safety concerns. Representative Beagle cited public polling and urged a return of zoning authority: “Polling indicated 85% of Michigan residents were opposed to stripping local control,” he said. Representative Martin raised safety questions about battery energy storage systems, telling the chamber there have been “47 known battery energy storage system failures resulting in fires since 2020,” and described rural volunteer fire departments as often unequipped to fight such fires.

House Bill 4027, introduced earlier in the session, would repeal Public Act 233 of 2023; House Bill 4028 would repeal Public Act 234 of 2023. Supporters said the repeals restore decisions about setbacks, local permitting and other siting conditions to cities, townships and counties. Opponents framed the bills as reversing state-level steps intended to meet Michigan’s clean energy goals and reduce household energy costs.

On the floor, Majority Floor Leader Posthumus moved to take the bills up for immediate passage; both measures were advanced to third reading and passed by recorded roll-call votes. The clerk announced the vote on HB4027 as 58 aye and 48 nay; later the clerk announced the vote on HB4028 as 58 aye and 48 nay. After passage on both bills, the majority leader moved for immediate effect and the chamber ordered immediate effect for each bill on the floor record.

The debate reflected a split between members who prioritized local zoning authority and those who emphasized statewide clean-energy policy and household energy savings. Speakers named local impacts such as farmland loss, property values and emergency-response capacity; others emphasized statewide energy reliability and the financial benefits projected under the Clean Energy and Jobs Act.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 4027 — repeal Public Act 233 of 2023; final passage 58-48. House Bill 4028 — repeal Public Act 234 of 2023; final passage 58-48. Both bills were ordered to take immediate effect on the House floor.

The bills now remain reflected in the House record as having passed; the transcript does not record subsequent Senate action or enactment steps.