LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s fight over who gets to decide what happens to local farmland could be heading to the state’s highest court, as 79 local governments ask the Michigan Supreme Court to step into the battle over large wind and solar projects.

The dispute centers on Democrats’ 2023 Public Act 233, which created a pathway for developers of utility-scale wind, solar and battery projects to bypass local officials and seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission under certain circumstances. Critics call it a state power grab. Supporters call it a necessary shortcut to meet Michigan’s clean energy goals.

After appeals court loss, local governments push for Supreme Court review.

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After the Michigan Court of Appeals largely upheld the state’s permitting rules in May, local governments appealed. The Public Service Commission says the Court of Appeals got it right and plans to continue defending the rules.

As renewable projects multiply, the fight over local control continues.

So far, developers have reportedly filed 10 applications with the state under the new law – nine solar projects and one wind project – with more expected as Michigan’s growing demand for electricity, fueled in part by AI data centers, drives additional renewable development.

The Supreme Court isn’t required to hear the case. But if it does, the ruling could determine whether decisions about thousands of acres of Michigan farmland are made at county and township halls – or in Lansing.