A push to let local governments in Michigan call the shots on renewable energy projects hit a wall as backers failed to amass enough signatures to put a repeal measure on the November ballot: the group, Citizens for Local. The choice fell short of the 356,958 signatures needed by the Wednesday deadline, the organization confirmed in a statement.
"The campaign is strong and robust and while we have not reached the required signature threshold to make the 2024 ballot, we will continue our ambitious effort to leverage our legal 180-day window and work to secure a placement on the 2026 ballot," Citizens for Local Choice said, as per Michigan Advance. The attempt to reel back state control over the siting of wind, solar, and battery storage facilities came after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer inked bills last fall for a 100% clean energy transition by 2040, with the Michigan Public Service Commission getting the final say on big-ticket renewable projects.
Despite the setback, the group claims to have galvanized "thousands of volunteers across the state" and issued "tens of thousands of petitions for signatures", according to CBS News Detroit. Supporters, like the Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Association of Counties, argue that this law removes essential zoning authority from municipalities. They contend that it overrules local governments in favor of "corporations to supersede local control across our state for utility-scale wind and solar projects", as cited by Michigan Advance.
On the other side of the argument, proponents welcome the failed initiative, seeing it as a victory for green energy. "We see this ballot initiative really as an anti-renewable energy ballot initiative, despite what the proponents of it may say," Nick Dodge, communications director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said, per Bridge Michigan. He added that the permitting reforms provide "a massive amount of benefits to Michiganders."
Though their current efforts to make it onto this year's ballot have fizzled, Citizens for Local Choice plans to persist in gathering signatures and prepare to try again for the 2026 elections. They now have 180 days to rally support and ensure their initiative doesn't miss its next target.
