An initiative to repeal Michigan’s renewable energy law won’t make it to the November ballot

(CBS DETROIT) — An organization working to amend a 2023 Michigan law that limits the power of local governments to block renewable energy projects did not collect enough signatures to put their petition on the November ballot.

For the petition to be placed on the ballot, Citizens for Local Choice needed to collect at least 356,958 signatures by Wednesday, but on Tuesday the group issued a statement saying it would not meet the deadline.

“The Citizens for Local Choice campaign engaged thousands of volunteers across the state and issued tens of thousands of signature petitions to restore local control over large-scale wind and solar operations,” the statement read.

The group says its campaign is “strong and robust” and although it missed the 2024 deadline, organizers will continue “an ambitious effort to take advantage of our legal 180-day window and secure a spot on the 2026 ballot.” “

The ballot initiative came after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the agreement Clean Energy Act in 2023. These bills require Michigan businesses to meet 100% clean energy standards by 2024 and give the Michigan Public Utilities Commission authority over large renewable energy projects.

These projects included solar, wind and battery storage, which were previously controlled by local governments.

The group Citizens for Local Choice has been collecting signatures to repeal these requirements for renewable energy projects, allowing local governments to set their own standards.