State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Wednesday voted to restore local oversight over large-scale wind and solar projects. The plan passed the House along party lines.

“Lansing Democrats and progressive environmentalists want you to believe that local officials were why they couldn’t get their renewable energy projects approved,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “What they don’t tell you they just have terrible projects that no one wants in their backyards.”

House Bills 4027-4028 would restore zoning and permitting authority over large-scale wind and solar projects to local governments, a power currently held by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The MPSC was handed the authority by legislative Democrats as part of sweeping green energy laws passed in 2023. Before the new laws, large-scale wind and solar projects required local approval.

“We need to give local officials the power to stand up for their communities again,” Cavitt said. “Before this whole mess of green energy legislation passed, our local governments were the only check we had against reckless developments and bad projects. These new laws silenced our communities that were trying to protect farmland, preserve wildlife, and plan for long-term sustainability. Restoring zoning and permitting authority takes the muzzle off local governments across Michigan. These folks are trying to fight for their communities, and state government shouldn’t be standing in their way.”

The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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