A voter-led initiative to reverse how industrial-scale wind and solar farms are sited in Michigan has taken another step toward going before voters on next November’s ballot.
The Board of State Canvassers approved the initiative petition sponsored by the group Citizens for Local Choice to repeal the portion of the law allowing the Michigan Public Service Commission to override the will of local communities when it comes to where large-scale wind and solar farms can locate.
Kevon Martis is Lenawee County Commissioner and spokesperson for Citizens for Local Choice.
“This entire effort has been about restoring local voices when it comes to wind and solar operations being placed in their communities. We are grateful to the Board of Canvassers for their timely adherence to our petition and we are ready to move forward to secure the necessary signatures to be placed on the ballot.”
The petition language approved by the State Board of Canvassers states:
Initiation of legislation to: amend the clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act by repealing statewide requirements for the construction and development of certain wind and solar energy facilities, including: assessment of environmental, natural resources, and farmland impact; wages and benefits requirements for workers; setback distance; size and height of structures; and amount of light and sound emitted. If enacted, this proposal would allow local units of government to determine their own standards for such facilities.
Supporters of the ballot initiative can start collecting signatures voters as soon as this week. They require approximately 357,000 signatures to make the ballot. They have 180 days to collect signatures.
