LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan House session lasted until after midnight last week as the Democrat majority House wanted to pass a series of energy bills that would increase government control of energy projects and make the state fully reliant on “clean energy” by 2040. 

While the House chamber did pass the Senate version of the bills, they mistakenly voted on the original Senate version of the bill, instead of the House’s own amended version.  Ultimately, the Democrat leadership was able to retrieve the bill and send back the corrected version, but not without frustrating many House members, including Representative David Martin (R-Davison). 

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“Instead of pushing radical ideas to make the environmental lobby happy, we should be focused on solving the real problems Michigan families are facing,” Rep. Martin said about the bill package. 

Under House Bills 5120-23, the Michigan Public Service Commission will now have the autonomy to choose projects pertaining to energy for communities, without local input. 

“The politicians in control right now see community input as an inconvenience, but I see it as a necessity in shaping responsible zoning policies,” Rep. Martin said. “This plan fails to recognize the importance of involving local people in decisions that directly impact their lives.”

Among the supporters was Governor Gretchen Whitmer who has been advocating for similar legislation since her What’s Next Address in the fall.  

 “With passage of these game-changing bills, Michigan will become a national leader on clean energy,” said Gov. Whitmer in a statement. “These bills will help us make more clean, reliable energy right here in Michigan, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering utility costs for every Michigander by an average of $145 a year. Getting this done will also reduce our reliance on foreign fuel sources, while protecting our air, water, and public health. I am grateful for the commonsense amendments that ensure local communities can work with utilities on developing clean energy sites.” 

According to a poll conducted by the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) in early October, many Michiganders – 87% of those polled – stood against shifting the authority for those projects away from localities. 

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“Our opposition – and that of many similar voices – is not directed at renewable energy. But we wholly oppose this legislation, which is written for developers, and with total disregard for local authority, local units of governments, and residents across the state,” MTA President Pauline Bennett said in a statement. “The quick action through committee, without substantial debate – despite testimony from local leaders, residents, and others about the negative consequences of the legislation – signals a complete lack of concern and respect for the wants and needs of Michiganders, and for decisions made at the local level.”

Representative Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) described the initial voting process which was expected to last several hours but ended up lasting more than 10 hours as “torture.” 

“Democrat leadership had to basically torture their members and force through a fake local control provision to get their members in line,” Representative Rigas said in a statement. “We had representatives actually sobbing on their side of the aisle, but he just wouldn’t call it until he got what he wanted for the governor.” 

The Michigan legislature will go into recess on November 14, making this Thursday the final day that House lawmakers will meet this year.