Michigan Municipal League backs state community solar legislation

Credit: OYA Solar

The Michigan Municipal League backed community solar legislation by joining the Michigan Community Solar Alliance (MCSA).

The League advocates on behalf of more than 520 municipalities across the state and has joined MCSA to support House Bills 4715 and 4716, sponsored by state Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton). The bills would allow community solar projects in Michigan, making additional tax revenue available to municipalities across the state.

The addition of MML to the Alliance strengthens the widespread support for community solar in Michigan. Recent polling conducted by the Epic MRA showed that three out of four people support the concept. There are countless communities across the state that stand to benefit from the allowance of community solar.

“The future of Michigan’s energy is renewables and community solar is an important component to ensuring all people and institutions have access to solar,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.  “It is the path we’ve been on and we’ve made great strides in expanding energy generation from wind and solar in recent years. In Grand Rapids, we are working on increasing the amount of solar we have installed for municipal operations to help us achieve our 100% renewable energy use goal by 2025 and we have been advocating for an easier pathway for residents and institutions interested in solar.  Community solar is essential in helping us reach all of these aggressive goals.”

MML joins MCSA, which was formed in May 2021, as its 14th founding member. Other founding members include:

• Associated Builders and Contractors Michigan
• The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter
• Coalition for Community Solar Access
• Ecology Center
• Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
• MI Air MI Health
• Michigan Conservative Energy Forum
• Michigan Democratic Party – Environmental Caucus
• Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council
• Michigan Energy Options
• Michigan Environmental Council
• Michigan League of Conservation Voters
• Sierra Club Michigan
• Vote Solar Action Fund

News item from the Michigan Community Solar Alliance

<!–
–>
Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/07/michigan-municipal-league-backs-state-community-solar-legislation/