The First Casualty in Whitmer’s War on Local Control

Lansing, MI – Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) used its new authority under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s anti-local control legislation to approve a green energy project, circumventing local officials and the community. The project is a massive 873-acre solar farm in Ingham County, the first of its kind to be approved by the MPSC rather than a local zoning board or municipal government.

In 2023, as part of her push for costly green energy mandates and her unsustainable net-zero goals, Whitmer signed a law taking the approval process for large-scale green energy projects, like wind and solar farms, away from local communities and handing it to the MPSC – the same board of unelected bureaucrats that continues to raise energy rates.

Sadly, this is just the beginning. The MPSC has another 11 applications to override local control pending. This tactic from the governor is not a surprise, though, considering that earlier this year she was caught on a hot mic saying “we’re used to people saying no and doing it anyway.”

Other parts of Whitmer’s Green New Scam include green energy mandates that will end up raising Michiganders’ energy bills by an estimated $2,700 per year, per household.

“Michiganders are watching their energy rates skyrocket as a result of Gretchen Whitmer’s reckless energy policies,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “Not only has she caused these rate hikes, but she’s essentially declared war on the local communities who want to fight back against her radical agenda, and is doing everything in her power to silence their voices.”