State Rep. Neil Friske today encouraged public participation in two upcoming meetings to consider rule implementation for a new state law that strips away local control over large-scale wind and solar projects.

Friske voted against the controversial plan, which gives the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to supersede local zoning ordinances when considering applications for wind and solar farms. The MPSC is made up of three unelected governor appointees, leaving them with no mandate to consider residents’ concerns over perspective wind and solar projects.

“The public needs to seize this opportunity to further denounce the radical takeover of our rural land,” said Friske, R-Charlevoix. “Local control is essential to the health of our democracy. I know my community stands behind me as I speak out against this left-wing, environmentalist agenda.”

While 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.

###