LANSING, Mich. — Opponents of Michigan’s new laws governing siting for renewable wind and solar energy projects have until May 29 to present petition signatures from at least 356,958 registered voters to potentially put a repeal on the ballot. 

The group backing the effort already is trying to collect signatures. Technically, as an initiated act, under Michigan’s constitution, the Legislature could enact the changes the proposal would make once enough signatures are gathered (and the constitution would forbid Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) from vetoing it). But no observer expects the Democratically controlled legislature to enact the proposal. 

If the legislature does not approve the proposal, it would go to the voters at the next general election. Citizens for Local Choice is spearheading the petition effort. 

Despite several attempts, officials with the Lenawee County-based group could not be reached for comment.  Lenawee County is a mostly rural county on Michigan’s southern-most tier bordering Ohio. 

Lenawee County Commissioner Kevon Martis has been quoted in newspaper articles saying the organization isn’t opposed to alternative energy, but the provisions in PA 233, 2023 give siting authority for solar and wind projects to the state’s Public Service Commission instead of local authorities. 

The centralized siting provision was a main reason Republicans refused to support the bills in the legislative process. 

Martis told the Michigan Board of State Canvassers the repeal effort, “has been about restoring local voices when it comes to wind and solar options being placed in their communities,” 

Norm Stephens, a committee member for Citizens for Local Choice, told the Adrian Daily Telegram, the Lenawee County newspaper, “we refuse to sit on the sidelines as local control gets stripped from our communities.” 

The new law is an important component of Michigan’s efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. It was enacted following a series of situations in which local governments, primarily in rural counties, enacted new zoning provisions blocking solar or wind projects. In some cases, residents objected to alternative energy projects over concerns about noise, attractiveness and the potential loss of farmland. 

Supporters of the law argue it helps protect the property rights of farmers and others to sell and use their property for different purposes. 

Nick Dodge, communications director for the Michigan League for Conservation Voters, said of the petition drive: “This reckless proposal hurts farmers looking to keep multigeneration land in their families and strips them of their property rights, all while harming workers that can benefit from clean energy tax revenue and jobs. Repealing this important law will only lead to an increase in utility rates for Michigan families and small businesses.” 

The state canvassers reviewed the proposed language for the petition and the form of the petition before giving its approval to gather signatures. That step is not required in Michigan law but generally is sought by groups leading petition drives to minimize the chance the petition could be thrown out on legal technicalities. 

Lawyers for supporters and opponents of the proposal worked on a compromise on the 100 words that would outline the proposed initiated act. It reads: 

“Initiation of legislation to: amend the clean and renewable energy and energy waste reduction act by eliminating the requirement that applicants undergo state certification before construction of certain wind and solar energy facilities and energy storage facilities. Under current law, in addition to local approval, applicants for construction of these facilities must obtain state certification, which requires meeting state requirements, including: an application fee; public comment; 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.” 

The group needs to collect nearly 357,000 signatures, equivalent to 8% of the total votes for governor in the 2022 election, as required by the constitution. The group said on its website it plans to collect 550,000 signatures to ensure the proposal gets the minimum number. The organization is looking to raise between $7 million and $10 million for an anticipated campaign to win voter approval.