Rep. David W. Martin (R-Davison) yesterday cast a key vote in the House Energy Committee to return local control for approving large-scale renewable energy projects in their community. House Bills 4027 and 4028, which Martin co-sponsored, remove and repeal the provisions granting the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to preempt local zoning for large-scale wind, solar, and battery storage siting.

“I’m proud to have co-sponsored these bills and advanced them in committee,” Martin said. “Michigan residents deserve the right to determine what projects they want in their backyard. I fully support returning these powers to local zoning authorities because our residents know their communities better than commissions of unelected bureaucrats at the state level.”

The provisions the bills seek to repeal were passed last year by Democrats and are strongly opposed by Martin.

“The current law, which went into effect last November, wrongfully stripped citizens of their voice when it comes to these large-scale projects,” Martin said. “I’ve been against the state mandating these projects since the beginning, and I’m keeping my promise to get them repealed.”

Both bills passed the House Energy Committee and move to the full House for consideration.

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