LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan House Republicans are working to undo a 2023 law pushed by the then-Democratic majority that put final say of green energy projects in the hands of Lansing-based bureaucrats, not local officials.

According to State Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville), Michigan currently has 17,000 acres of wind and solar operations.  The 2023 law granted the unelected Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) the authority to bypass local decision-making and zoning ordinances on wind and solar projects. House Bills 4027 and 4028 aim to undo that authority.

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“This vote was not a statement about green energy or whether communities should pursue these projects,” Rep. Alexander said. “This vote is about empowering local communities and their elected officials to make these decisions based on what’s best for their communities and what input they’re hearing from residents regarding what they want in their communities.”

Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Portland) said the current law casts aside “the uniqueness of our communities.” She said, “The fight is not over, but the passage of this plan is a critical first step to restoring local control and ensuring no local government is forced to sit on their hands while their treasured land is replaced with Chinese solar panels.”

Meanwhile, one lawmaker representing the Upper Peninsula said these green energy projects are not a “good fit” for his home base. “Our environment, weather patterns, and mining industry make it impossible for renewable energy to be our only source of production,” Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton) said. “We need our other reliable and affordable options, specifically our RICE generators, to keep the lights on.”

The bills now move to the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate.