Public Resource
Most Michigan local government officials say control over renewable energy projects should stay local
Natalie Fitzpatrick, Debra Horner, and Thomas Ivacko. University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy
A large majority (63-78%) of Michigan local officials say authority over renewable energy planning and zoning should be completely under local government. Another 13-25% say authority should be primarily local, with some role for the state. Meanwhile, less than 10% say authority should be either mostly or completely with the state government. Local government leaders are most strongly opposed to state involvement regarding where renewable energy projects belong in a community (zoning) and regarding the parameters for renewable energy projects, such as required setbacks from property lines and allowable sound levels. On the other hand, they are more likely to say the state should have at least some authority in determining whether a community should have any renewable energy projects (32%) and whether a community should have large renewable energy projects (28%).