State Rep. Timmy Beson today underscored an upcoming meeting on rule implementation for new state laws that strip away local control over large-scale wind and solar projects.

Beson has consistently opposed and voted against the controversial and partisan plans – formerly House Bills 5120-21 before becoming Public Acts 233-34 of 2023 – which give the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to supersede local zoning ordinances when considering applications for wind and solar farms. The MPSC is made up of three unelected bureaucrats appointed by the governor, leaving them with no mandate to consider residents’ concerns over perspective wind and solar projects.

The commission will hold a listening session from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. The virtual meetings will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Details on how to join the meetings are available here or at michigan.gov/mpsc under the calendar of events.

“I have been a consistent voice for people across Bay County who have shared with me that these bills go too far in pushing a radical agenda onto local communities and residents who may not want these projects,” said Beson, of Bay City. “This meeting is an opportunity for people to reiterate those concerns and help shape what these siting situations ultimately look like. It’s a way to speak directly to the commission that will be overseeing these steps and have a say.”

According to the MPSC, topics of discussion will include application filing guidelines, application fees, use of consultants, pre-application consultations, the development of compatible renewable energy ordinances, and other issues that arise during the process.