House approves bills restoring local control over siting of large-scale wind and solar projects

Lansing, Mich. — The Michigan House of Representatives voted on April 29, 2025, to restore local zoning authority over the siting of large-scale wind and solar projects by passing House Bill 4027 and House Bill 4028. Lawmakers approved both measures by 58-48, and the majority moved that the bills take immediate effect.

The bills repeal provisions of 2023 laws that shifted siting decisions for large-scale renewable energy projects away from local governments to state-level review. Supporters said the change restores “home rule” and gives residents and locally elected officials the final say on projects in their communities.

Representative Matt Altman, speaking on the floor, framed the bills as a defense of local democracy. “I rise today in support of a plan to restore local control to the people,” Altman said. “Let's be clear. This isn't a debate about alternative energy. We all want sustainable, affordable energy. We all want more jobs and innovation.”

Backers argued that local planning and permitting produce better outcomes and that some communities and farmers want the ability to approve or reject projects that affect farmland, property values and community character. Representative Bogle warned of large land demands for some renewable deployments, arguing that “an area three times the size of Kalamazoo County will need be needed for solar, or an area the size of the state of Maryland will be needed for wind.”

Opponents said the bills undercut Michigan's clean-energy goals and could raise costs for households. Representative McDonald said, “I rise today in opposition to House Bills 4027 and 4028,” and cited a 2024 report that the Clean Energy and Jobs Act would lower household bills by about $297 a year by 2030 and $713 by 2040. Representative McKinney reiterated that position, calling the repeal “a halt to progress” and saying the measures “protect corporate profits” rather than ratepayers.

Safety concerns about battery energy storage also surfaced. Representative Martin told colleagues that “there have been 47 known battery energy storage system failures resulting in fires since 2020,” and cautioned that many rural communities lack firefighting capacity to handle such incidents.

The majority floor leader moved to place both bills on immediate passage; the House granted immediate effect. The clerk announced final passage of House Bill 4027 with 58 ayes and 48 nays; by the same margin the House passed House Bill 4028. Both measures were ordered into immediate effect on the floor.

What the bills do: the measures repeal elements of Public Act 233 of 2023 and Public Act 234 of 2023 that had transferred siting authority for certain large-scale solar, wind and storage projects from local governments to a state permitting process. Supporters described the action as restoring decision-making to local elected officials and residents; opponents said it risks undermining statewide energy planning and cost reductions projected under Michigan’s clean-energy law.

The debate included repeated procedural points from the minority about the scope of allowed floor amendments and several members raised concerns about the health, safety and economic impacts of both centralized permitting and local bans. The House record shows passage; next steps are transmission of the bills to the Senate and signature by the governor for enactment.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 4027 — passed 58-48; House Bill 4028 — passed 58-48. Immediate effect was ordered for both bills.