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Maximizing American Grid Affordability Solar Act requires local zoning approval for state solar projects

File Photo of solar panel
Wikimedia Commons
File Photo of solar panel

Two Michigan House Republicans, including a West Michigan legislator, introduced a bill Wednesday they say supports Michigan’s energy independence.

The Maximizing American Grid Affordability Solar Act, also known as the (MAGA) Solar Act focuses on solar energy production. House Bill 4590 is authored by Republican State Representatives Angela Rigas from Caledonia and Gregg Markkanen from Hancock.

It does away with the state’s green energy mandates and requires local zoning approval for solar projects. There would also be a statewide cap on the number of those projects. Representatives Rigas and Harkkanen say that prevents solar overbuild ensuring power grid stability.

In a news release from the House Republican Caucus highlights “key provisions like a minimum 10% savings requirement for ratepayers, a ban on clear-cutting state forestland, and a focus on rooftop and agrivoltaics deployment.”

It also prohibits implementation of solar panels produced in hostile nations including China, Iran and North Korea.

The bill now heads to the House Energy Committee for consideration.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.