Large-Scale Solar and Wind Siting

House bills 5120 and 5121 make it easier to site large wind and solar energy projects in Michigan. These bills are critical to achieving a clean energy future in Michigan; they will create tens of thousands high-paying union jobs, and will unlock hundreds of millions of federal dollars.

This legislation establishes a threshold of state and local requirements required for energy developers to meet in siting utility scale solar and wind energy projects. The bills explicitly disallow eminent domain, but enable private landowners the ability to voluntarily lease their land.

The bills contain multiple requirements that center community engagement and benefits. They require prevailing wage for the construction of all projects, maintain state and federal environmental considerations, and require additional payments from the developer to the local unit of government to engage the MPSC certification process, public safety costs, and other local benefits. 

Along with the 100% clean energy legislation passed synchronistically, these bills will help Michigan to achieve the goals set within the MI Healthy Climate Plan – including the buildout of 60% renewable energy by 2030. In doing so they will drive economic growth, control currently rising energy costs, decrease air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, and protect Michiganders’ health.