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Houghton County opposes state preemption of local control for solar and wind siting
Summary
On Sept. 21 the Houghton County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 23-18 opposing any legislation that would give the Michigan Public Service Commission sole authority over solar and wind siting and thereby preempt local zoning, directing the resolution be shared with state officials and MAC.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution No. 23-18 on Sept. 21, stating the county opposes any state legislation that would preempt local zoning and give the Michigan Public Service Commission sole authority over the siting, size, setbacks, noise limits or other criteria for solar and wind facilities.
The resolution cites Executive Directive 2020-10 and says that if the proposed authority were granted to the Public Service Commission, existing local policies, practices, regulations or ordinances could be rendered null and void. The resolution argues that other energy facilities regulated by the commission are still subject to local zoning and characterizes the proposed authority as broader than that currently held for other energy sources.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson suggested the board forward the adopted resolution to state representatives, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Association of Counties. Commissioner Roy Britz seconded Anderson’s motion; the board approved the resolution on a 5–0 roll-call vote.
The resolution record states the board’s opposition is to any preemption of local control for solar and wind siting. The resolution was certified by the county clerk.
