Monroe Review

State Representative Will Bruck from Erie emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping the implementation of the new state law governing large-scale wind and solar projects. Bruck expressed his concerns about the law's impact on local communities, stating, "My observation is that this new law does not have much support in our community." He encouraged residents to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities to provide feedback and influence the decision-making process of the Michigan Public Service Commission.

House Bill 5120, now known as Public Act 233 of 2023, was passed with partisan support, granting the Michigan Public Service Commission the authority to impose wind and solar farms on communities, disregarding local concerns and zoning regulations. To address the public's input on the implementation of the law, the MPSC has scheduled "engagement sessions" where residents can voice their opinions on various aspects of the new legislation.

The first two sessions are scheduled for Thursday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 19, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. These virtual meetings will be held via Microsoft Teams, with details on how to participate available on the michigan.gov/mpsc website. Topics of discussion during the sessions will include application guidelines, fees, consultations, renewable energy ordinances, and other relevant issues related to the implementation of the law.

Residents are encouraged to participate in these engagement sessions to ensure their voices are heard and to play a role in shaping the future decisions that will impact their neighborhoods.