House Energy Committee reports bills to restore local control over large wind and solar siting after hours of testimony

The Michigan House Energy Committee on an extended hearing day voted to report House Bills 4027 and 4028 with recommendation after extensive public testimony on whether the state should retain siting authority for large-scale wind and solar projects or return that authority to local governments.

Representative Alexander, sponsor of the bills, told the committee the bills would “repeal and restore local control” over the siting of large-scale wind and solar projects and argued the 2023 laws stripped voters and locally elected officials of their voice. “This legislation is not an attack on renewable energy,” Representative Alexander said. “This is about opposing government overreach and takeover.”

The package filed by Alexander would roll back parts of Public Acts enacted in 2023 that place siting authority for certain large renewable projects with the Michigan Public Service Commission rather than with townships, cities, villages or counties. Supporters of the repeal — including township and county officials, the Michigan Township Association, Michigan Association of Counties and Michigan Farm Bureau — told the committee they…