LANSING, Mich. — Senate Republicans on Wednesday introduced a six-bill package to end Democrats’ unaffordable and unreliable energy policy mandates, restore local controls on zoning rules and lower costs for consumers.
“Democrats’ Michigan Green New Deal 100% mandates have been a 100% failure,” said Sen. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, “They’ve stripped away local control, established a system to make energy costs skyrocket and are on track to make access to reliable, affordable energy a thing of the past. Our message is clear — it’s time to turn off these radical new mandates and turn on clean and safe energy policies that work for all Michiganders.”
The legislation includes Senate Bill 322, introduced by Hoitenga, to repeal 100% alternative energy mandates signed into law in 2023, increase waste reduction and energy savings incentives for providers and restore local zoning authority for renewable energy projects.
“Local leaders and residents should never have been cut out of the conversation when it comes to energy projects coming to their communities. My bill would ensure that Northern Michigan communities have a say before energy projects are forced on them,” Hoitenga said. “My legislation would also end the unnecessary, unwanted and unaffordable 100% by 2040 mandate. Other forms of energy have a place in our future, but if we want to protect families from skyrocketing costs, it must be paired with a commonsense all-of-the-above approach to energy policy.”
SB 323, introduced by Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, would roll back the new powers granted to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to override local zoning ordinances.
“It’s time to put the people of Michigan first when it comes to our state’s energy policy,” said Nesbitt, R-Porter Township. “Lansing Democrats have sold Michigan out to the radical green new scam, but we are working to restore power to the people who cannot afford to pay more for less reliable energy. Local residents deserve to have a voice at the table, not simply subjected to the will of a fringe group of left-wing extremists who seek to control an entire state’s energy policy.”
SB 324, introduced by Sen. Roger Hauck, would restore requirements for the MPSC to authorize a shared savings program for energy waste reduction.
“The message has been loud and clear: People cannot afford and did not support the overly burdensome, partisan mandates that were passed last term,” said Hauck, R-Mount Pleasant. “This is an important part of the larger effort to reel in these requirements that put radical ideology ahead of the very real concerns people have with cost increases on their monthly bills as a result of these policies taking effect.
“We should be focused on restoring local control, saving money and improving reliability for consumers — and that’s what this package will ultimately do.”
SB 325, introduced by Sen. Joseph Bellino, would repeal provisions dictating that the MPSC consider politically influenced and subjective climate and equity goals in its decision-making process.
“Access to affordable and reliable energy should take precedence over any liberal green-energy fantasy,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “Allowing the state to use politics or environmental extremism to force costly and unsustainable mandates on all Michigan families is unfair and un-American. This bill would ensure all decisions regarding access to energy in our state will only be based on sound science and economic reality.”
SB 326, introduced by Sen. Thomas Albert, would shutter the newly established Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, developed by Democrats to assist communities in shifting away from coal-powered energy plants and gas-fueled vehicle production.
“This is about fairness for Michigan workers, families and businesses,” said Albert, R-Lowell. “The heavy hand of government should not be dictating the terms of energy policy upon the people of Michigan from on high. The free market and the rights of consumers must be respected and protected.”
SB 327, introduced by Sen. Kevin Daley, would prohibit agricultural property enrolled in Michigan’s farmland preservation program from being rented for the installation of massive solar operations.
“We cannot allow Michigan’s invaluable agriculture industry to become the unintended casualty of an extremist climate agenda,” said Daley, R-Lum. “Our farmers help to feed our state and our nation, and we must ensure these protected farms are protected from destruction in the name of an overly aggressive progressive green energy agenda. Solar power isn’t going to be worth a lot if we are going hungry to pay for it.”