Michigan House Republicans on Tuesday moved a step closer to repealing the most potent tool for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s government forced transition to renewable energy.

The House Energy Committee approved House bills 4027 and 4028 to repeal green energy mandates approved by Democrats in 2023 that stripped local governments of their ability to vet large scale wind, solar, and battery storage developments.

The change, which sparked a lawsuit from the majority of Michigan counties, was aimed at overriding widespread local opposition to the projects the governor views as critical to meeting her climate goals.

The change allows large developers to apply for permits directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission, which is comprised of three members appointed by the governor.

“There is no one better suited to make decisions for a community than the people elected from within that same community,” Speaker Pro Tem Rachelle Smit, a former Marin Township clerk for seven years, said in a statement. “Local control being stripped away was a perversion of the principles that make up local governments.

“Radical democrats stripped a core function of local government and gifted it to a state board handcrafted by our left-wing governor,” she said. “Republicans called foul then, and we’ve worked to reverse that abuse of legislative power ever since.”

Numerous lawmakers, local government officials and others representing Michigan communities across the state testified in favor of the legislation on Tuesday.

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“Michigan is not a one size fits all,” Herasanna Richards, legislative associate for the Michigan Municipal League, told lawmakers. “People have different desires based on where they want to live and our local leaders believe in honoring that, and making the hard choices, whether its for or against those opportunities.”

Other testimony came from former wind energy advocates, farmers, and residents concerned about the impact of massive renewable energy projects on home values, land prices, and public safety.

Opponents included Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, the Clean Grid Alliance, American Clean Power Association, Audubon Great Lakes, Advanced Energy United, Ceres, and others representing the renewable energy industry.

Both bills ultimately cleared the committee on a party line vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

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“When these laws first passed, I described the situation as ‘Democrats pressing their green boots into the throats of Northern Michigan,” state Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, said in a statement. “The passage of these bills is the first step toward prying that boot off.

“Local control is the oxygen that feeds communities across the state,” he said. “The ability to manage our elections, make taxing decisions, decide what’s best for our communities, and govern ourselves is the lifeblood that keeps us going. Democrats stripped a major portion of that away, and now we’re taking it back.”

The legislation now heads to the House floor for further discussions.

If it clears the lower chamber, Senate Democrats and Whitmer would also need to approve the legislation, which is unlikely.

The bills come as 75 counties and townships are pursuing a lawsuit against Whitmer’s MPSC that aims to vacate the commission’s order implementing the new rules.

Michael Homier, an attorney with the Foster Swift law firm representing the plaintiffs, applauded HB 4027-28 in a statement when the bills were introduced in February.

“These bills send a clear message: Michigan communities should not have to rely on appointed state bureaucrats who think they know better deciding where renewable energy facilities should be located in individual unique communities. One size does not fit all,” Homier said. “Local governments know their communities best, and these bills restore the balance of power to ensure decisions reflect local priorities and values.”

Opponents of the current law at Citizens for Local Choice attempted unsuccessfully last year to mount a ballot campaign in “an effort to restore local control of large-scale wind and solar operations,” MLive reports.

Citizens for Local Choice has vowed to continue working toward putting a repeal of the current law on the ballot in 2026.