Dexter Township will host a community debate on renewable energy regulations

Dexter Township wants to talk to the community about the latest regulations affecting solar, wind and battery installations.

In the May edition of Dexter Township’s monthly “In The Loop” email update, city officials say there is an “important conversation” taking place in our township!

“Michigan passed Public Act 233 of 2023, which requires municipalities to permit the construction of utility-scale solar, wind and battery energy facilities and limits local control over these renewable energy operations. Dexter Township may retain some authority to approve these facilities if the zoning ordinance is amended under Public Act 233. Join the discussion with Trustee Laura Sanders, Trustee Gretchen Driskell, Marty Straub and Mark Teicher. Now is the time to contribute – join us and be part of this timely conversation!”

Another local resource examining this issue is the Graham Institute for Sustainability at the University of Michigan. He describes the legislation this way: “Significant changes to the permitting process for large-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects were introduced in HB 5120 (now Public Act 233 of 2023) in the fall of 2023. The new law, which goes into effective November 2024, grants authority to the Michigan Public Utilities Commission unless local governments adopt a “Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance.” The EmPowering Communities Center is developing resources to help communities prepare for the new law and assess how it affects their planning and zoning for renewable energy.”

About the legislation, the Michigan Public Service Commission website says:
“Does PA 233 Take away Control from Local Landowners?”
“NO. Participation or non-participation in a renewable energy or energy storage project is the decision of individual landowners. The Commission’s approval of a site certificate under PA 233 does not confer the power of eminent domain or require landowners to participate against their will.”

The localization process created in PA 233 applies to:
• Photovoltaic installations with a rated power of 50 MW or more,
• Wind installations with a rated power of 100 MW or more and
• Energy storage installations with a rated power of 50 MW or more and a discharge capacity of 200 MWh or more.

PA 233 goes into effect on November 29, 2024.

Dexter Township Community Hearings are scheduled for Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m., at City Hall, 6880 Dexter-Pinckney Road.