North Michigan News

State Rep. Neil Friske voiced his concerns about the new state law that removes local control over large-scale wind and solar projects. Friske emphasized the importance of community involvement in the upcoming meetings to discuss the implementation of the controversial plan.

“The public needs to seize this opportunity to further denounce the radical takeover of our rural land,” said Friske. He criticized the law for giving the Michigan Public Service Commission the power to override local zoning ordinances without considering residents' input. Friske, a representative from Charlevoix, highlighted the significance of local control in maintaining the health of democracy and expressed his opposition to what he described as a "left-wing, environmentalist agenda."

The legislation in question, House Bill 5120 – now Public Act 233 of 2023, was passed along party lines and signed into law by the governor. The MPSC, composed of three unelected governor appointees, is now conducting "engagement sessions" to gather public feedback on the specifics of implementing the new law.

The first two sessions are scheduled for Thursday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 19, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The virtual meetings will take place via Microsoft Teams, with details on how to participate available on michigan.gov/mpsc. The MPSC outlined that the discussions will cover various aspects such as application filing guidelines, fees, consultations, renewable energy ordinances, and other relevant topics.

Friske's call for public engagement reflects the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between renewable energy initiatives and local governance in Michigan.