State Rep. Sarah Lightner today highlighted two upcoming opportunities for people to weigh in on the new state law that strips away local control over large-scale wind and solar projects.

Lightner, R-Springport, voted against the controversial plan, which gives the Michigan Public Service Commission the ability to force wind and solar farms on local communities with little regard for residents’ concerns or long-established zoning ordinances.

“I voted against this because I know people in our community don’t want the state to come in and force us to accept massive wind and solar facilities where they don’t belong,” Lightner said. “The policies and procedures the MPSC is setting up now are either going to help us or hurt us down the road. The local townships are the closest to the people and they should have a role in the process. It’s important to make our voices heard.”

House Bill 5120 – now Public Act 233 of 2023 – was approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor along partisan lines. The MPSC is now holding “engagement sessions” to take public comment regarding the details of how the new law will be implemented.

The first two sessions will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 19. The virtual meetings will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Details on how to join the meetings are available here or at michigan.gov/mpsc under the calendar of events.

According to the MPSC, topics of discussion will include application filing guidelines, application fees, use of consultants, pre-application consultations, the development of compatible renewable energy ordinances, and other issues that arise during the process.

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