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 prefer local zoning decisions and raised concerns about farmland loss, public safety and local control of land use.

Judy Allen, director of government relations for the Michigan Townships Association, summarized that organization’s view: “Our members are strong supporters of local authority,” she said, adding that townships “plan and develop their community to represent the local needs” and that preemption of zoning should not be taken lightly. Dina Bosworth, director of governmental affairs for the Michigan Association of Counties, and Harrisana Richards of the Michigan Municipal League echoed that position, saying diverse municipalities need local discretion to manage land use and public safety concerns such as battery storage siting.

Several farmers and rural residents said the 2023 law, cited in testimony as PA 233, limits property owners’ ability to lease land for projects when local ordinances change. Clara Ostrander of Milan Township said PA 233 “protects the land rights of farm families like mine and it shouldn’t be undone before it even has given a chance to work.” Other speakers, including Patty Shin and several township supervisors, described proposed tax revenue from projects and disputed studies on property-value impacts.

Representatives of industry and energy groups opposed repeal. Justin Carpenter of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council said his organization opposes the bills and emphasized the role of renewables in the state’s energy transition. Committee debate and questions reflected differing views on property rights, farmland preservation, public health and the proper role of state regulation versus local zoning.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 4027 (motion to report with recommendation): Motion moved by Representative Preston; roll call recorded in committee minutes produced a 10–7 tally in favor (10 yes, 7 no). Recorded yes votes included Chair Wenzel and Representatives Preston, Martin, Begole, DeVore, Schmaltz, Thompson, Fairburn, Frisbie and Linton; recorded no votes included Representatives Tate, Brixy, Liberati, Andrews, Kersberg and Myers Phillips. Outcome: reported with recommendation.

- House Bill 4028 (motion to report with recommendation): Motion moved by Representative Beagle; committee roll call produced a 10–7 tally in favor (10 yes, 7 no). Outcome: reported with recommendation.

The hearing included repeated requests for additional guardrails from several township officials — for example, larger setbacks, density limits and better screening — and from local planners concerned about emergency response and battery storage safety. Several public commenters urged the panel to restore zoning authority so local governments can block or limit large projects within or near settled neighborhoods.

The committee chair closed the hearing by noting that written testimony may be submitted for the record and that members who could not speak that day could still make their views known. With the committee’s votes, the two bills are now reported out of the House Energy Committee with recommendations and move next in the House process.

Ending

The committee adjourned after reporting both bills; no further action or amendments were adopted during the meeting. The transcript shows broad public engagement and a split committee vote, reflecting continuing debate in Michigan over how to balance renewable energy development, farmland protection and local land-use authority.