Bills are key counterpart to Senate’s Clean Energy Future plan, protect personal property rights and local input, authority
LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 8, 2023) — Today, Michigan Senate Democrats passed House Bills 5120 and 5121, the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, to simplify the approval process for building large-scale renewable energy projects while protecting personal property rights and public input and local oversight. The bills work in complement with the Senate’s Clean Energy Future legislation, Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502, which the Senate plans to finalize later today.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, spoke in support of the legislation on the Senate floor today, and excerpts of their comments are included below.
“For years, our constituents have called for decisive action to address climate change —concerns that have gone unaddressed until this year,” said Sen. McCann. “These bills are an essential component to pursuing and achieving a clean energy future in Michigan, diversifying our economy, supporting workers, farmers and consumers, and making Michigan a national leader on clean energy — all while enhancing personal property rights for landowners who want the freedom to decide what to do with their land while upholding public and community input and authority.”
“The Clean Energy Future plan sets an example for the rest of the nation on how to navigate the deeply complex realm of energy policy in a way that promotes affordability and reliability, drives job creation, and honors the role we must play in mitigating climate change,” said Leader Brinks. “The action we took in the Senate today is a critical step in achieving our bold energy goals in a responsible way that moves Michigan forward.”
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