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Appeals court upholds key pieces of state permitting for big wind, solar projects
The ruling lets state regulators keep most permitting rules for wind, solar and battery projects while narrowing two provisions that had limited local authority.
- On Thursday, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the bulk of state regulations for renewable energy projects, rejecting challenges to the 2023 law that allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to override local objections.
- Passed along party lines in 2023, Public Act 233 sought to accelerate renewable energy development, prompting dozens of local communities to sue over concerns that state Commission rules undermined local control.
- The three-judge panel sided with local governments on two points: the definition of an 'affected local unit' and the Commission's interpretation of the 30-day clock for local approval processes.
- Commission spokesperson Matt Helms said the decision 'largely affirms the Commission's approach,' while Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council President Laura Sherman celebrated the ruling for affirming land-use rights and economic development.
- Calling the ruling a 'mixed bag,' Attorney Michael Homier noted he is pleased with parts favoring his clients but disappointed the court did not apply the same reasoning to other arguments.
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Michigan Advance
Michigan AdvanceCourt of Appeals determines regulators did not violate rulemaking procedures in clean energy order
Following a challenge from 79 municipalities across the state, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling Thursday which largely upheld state energy regulators’ efforts to implement part of the state’s 2023 clean energy package. To help facilitate the buildout…
Associated Press News+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Appeals court issues split ruling in Michigan solar permitting suit
A state appeals panel on Thursday upheld the bulk of Michigan’s regulations limiting local control over renewable energy projects, while rejecting narrow aspects that critics had decried as regulatory overreach.
·United States
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Appeals court upholds key pieces of state permitting for big wind, solar projects
The Michigan Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld key aspects of state rules stripping local communities of final say over sprawling solar farms and other renewable energy projects that can blanket farmland.
·Michigan, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left7Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 38%
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