{"id":2370375,"date":"2024-11-18T14:38:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T19:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-counties-sue-whitmer-appointed-board-for-flouting-local-authority-on-green-energy-projects-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-18T14:42:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T19:42:41","slug":"michigan-counties-sue-whitmer-appointed-board-for-flouting-local-authority-on-green-energy-projects-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-counties-sue-whitmer-appointed-board-for-flouting-local-authority-on-green-energy-projects-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan counties sue Whitmer-appointed board for flouting local authority on green energy projects &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichigan-counties-sue-whitmer-appointed-board-for-flouting-local-authority-on-green-energy-projects-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2370375&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Seventy-five out of Michigan&#8217;s 83\u2064 counties have \u2062filed\u2063 a lawsuit against Governor Gretchen Whitmer&#8217;s Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) due \u200dto \u2062concerns that the\u200c commission will undermine local governments&#8217; authority to \u200dregulate green energy \u200bprojects. The lawsuit, which was filed on November 8, 2023, challenges the MPSC&#8217;s\u2062 interpretation of Public Act 233\u2014legislation signed by Whitmer in November \u200d2022 that allows state oversight of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bmw-bets-on-a-neue-klasse-revival-to-catch-tesla\/\" title=\"BMW is banking on a &#039;Neue Klasse&#039; comeback to rival Tesla.\">large-scale wind<\/a>, solar, and energy storage \u2064initiatives as part of Michigan&#8217;s goal to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whitmer-backs-plan-to-use-100-clean-energy-in-michigan\/\" title=\"Whitmer supports Michigan&#039;s 100% &#039;clean energy&#039; plan.\">achieve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-unveils-plans-to-make-federal-government-carbon-neutral-in-30-years\/\" title=\"Biden Unveils Plans To Make Federal Government Carbon Neutral In 30 Years\">100% clean energy<\/a><\/a> by 2040. The counties argue that the MPSC&#8217;s new rules, set to take \u200deffect on November 29, will disrupt local \u2064zoning regulations by altering definitions related to &#8220;hybrid facilities,&#8221; potentially\u2062 requiring state approval for combined clean\u200d energy projects.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Michigan counties sue Whitmer-appointed board for flouting local authority on green energy projects<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1834017\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Seventy-five of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Michigan<\/a>&lsquo;s 83 counties have filed a lawsuit against Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a>&lsquo;s (D-MI) Michigan Public Service Commission over concerns that the three-person board will erode local governments&rsquo; abilities to regulate green energy projects.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The 178-page <a href=\"https:\/\/mi-psc.my.site.com\/sfc\/servlet.shepherd\/version\/download\/068cs00000LJypEAAT?lctg=5fea0c62c713703c338855f6&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_morning_briefing%202024-11-13&amp;utm_term=Newsletter_morning_briefing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">lawsuit<\/a>, filed on Nov. 8, asserts that the MPSC is trying to redefine the terms of Public Act 233, which would actually amend the legislation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last November, Whitmer signed Public Act 233, which gave the state authority to oversee utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage facilities. The law is part of Whitmer&rsquo;s agenda to have Michigan transition to 100% clean energy by 2040.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, opponents to the new rules, which will go into effect on Nov. 29, have said the MPSC will completely thwart zoning regulations set by local governments.&nbsp;The lawsuit takes concern with how the MPSC defines &ldquo;hybrid facilities,&rdquo; as it would combine clean energy projects to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">trigger thresholds requiring state approval<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are deeply concerned that the MPSC&rsquo;s ruling undermines the democratic process by removing the voices of local residents and local officials in decisions that directly impact their communities,&rdquo; said Michael Homier, a Foster Swift Collins &amp; Smith attorney who is representing the counties, said in <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.ph\/o\/wFp3c\/https:\/www.fosterswift.com\/news-firm-files-appeal-michigan-municipalities-energy-regulations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a statement.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Developers first must seek authority from local governments to pursue a project. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-appeals-court-unanimously-strikes-down-local-gun-control-law\/\" title=\"Washington Appeals Court Unanimously Strikes Down Local Gun-Control\u00a0Law\">local regulations<\/a> are on par with state-wide regulations and not more restrictive. If a local regulator denies a developer&rsquo;s project request, the developer can just go directly to the MPSC for a permit. The MPSC will grant approval for the developer&rsquo;s project if it deems local regulators unreasonable in their denial.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Local governments have a long-standing responsibility to ensure that developments align with their unique priorities, and this decision threatens to leave them powerless in the face of large-scale renewable energy projects,&rdquo; Homier said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1834017\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1834017\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan counties sue over green energy project regulations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2370376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Gretchen-Whitmer_pp1.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[45246,4585,4601],"class_list":["post-2370375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-green-energy","tag-lawsuit","tag-michigan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Gretchen-Whitmer_pp1.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2370375"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2370379,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370375\/revisions\/2370379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2370376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2370375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2370375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2370375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}