Citizens for Local Choice, a nonpartisan group of Michigan residents, is gathering signatures with hopes of placing the question of returning local control of large scale utility renewable energy project regulations on the November 2024 ballot.
Registered voters are being asked to sign the petition so they will have a say on whether the state maintains control or it is given back to the local communities. Your signature is not a statement of support for or against renewable energy. It simply is giving voters the right to choose — one of our most sacred rights as a free society is the ability to be able to vote on an issue.
In November 2023, the Michigan legislature passed legislation to strip local governments of the right to regulate large scale utility solar, wind and battery energy storage system facilities. The governor signed the legislation into law known as Public Act 233, which gave the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) the power to approve such projects.
Public Act 233 will become effective on Nov. 29, if it is not repealed by the ballot initiative. Renewable energy ordinances that have been enacted by your local county, townships and municipalities, will be null and void.
If local ordinances are more restrictive than the state mandates, energy companies can bypass local governments and work directly with the MPSC. Either way, the state has the final say over the siting and permitting of these projects.
Under state mandates, setbacks from your property line will be lessened, making them more intrusive. Noise control over these projects will become non-existent. Residents living by the 1,900 acre Assembly Solar project in Shiawassee County constantly hear noise on a daily basis from inverters. Wildlife is being trapped within the facility. Drainage problems are common on non-participating properties because of this project.
Battery energy storage systems can be built on as little as 10 acres. Lithium battery energy storage systems are highly flammable, and fires can release toxic fumes.
Projects will be commissioned for a period of 25 to 40 years, with surrounding property values declining yearly. Local realtors say clients do not want to buy homes near renewable energy projects.
Ask yourself, do you and your family want to live a few hundred feet from these projects? Or, would you allow your local government to regulate these projects in areas that are suitable for wind, solar and battery energy storage systems?
Think about it before you say “no” when approached to sign a petition.
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Think and do your research before you say “yes” when approached to sign a petition.
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