Today, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal the clean energy siting laws enacted in 2023 that would streamline the state’s permitting process and strengthen landowners’ rights to develop renewable energy projects on their property. The bills now go to the Senate for consideration. In response, Evergreen Action Midwest Deputy Director Courtney Brady released the following statement: 

“Today, Michigan House Republicans chose to prioritize dismantling commonsense energy policies over supporting landowners, local communities, and getting more cheap energy sources on the grid. By fighting to reinstate red tape that makes building new energy projects nearly impossible, these bills go against broad bipartisan support and would take away landowners’ rights to decide how to use their own property. This is a direct attack on the progress Michigan has made to attract new investment, create good-paying jobs, and lower energy costs. 

“This is a short-sighted move that prioritizes unpopular politics over statewide progress—and Michigan communities will lose out if this repeal effort succeeds.” 

Earlier this year, polling from Data for Progress revealed bipartisan support for continuing progress on developing clean energy in Michigan. Seventy-three percent of voters—including 87 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of independents, and 65 percent of Republicans—said it’s important to make it easier to build new clean energy projects, not harder.