In addition to appointing Robert Vinande and Phil Essenmacher to partial three year terms on the Parks Commission and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority respectively, the Sanilac County Board of Commissioners yesterday passed a resolution opposing a state board possibly making wind renewable energy installation decisions without local input.
Board Chairman and District 1 Commissioner Jon Block explained that Governor Whitmer has proposed that the Michigan Public Service Commission, a three-person board appointed by the governor to oversee the state’s energy and telecommunication needs, would have sole regulating authority over solar and wind projects.
With controversy swirling around renewable energy resources being placed in-county, seen in Speaker and Fremont Townships pushing back on the Liberty Utilities Wind Project, the possibility of ceding control over local zoning to the state for such projects is an instant non-starter for Block. He spoke of his disapproval of the governor’s proposal, with the resolution being presented to the board to formally oppose the state’s consideration of preempting local control.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a memorandum of understanding between the county sheriff’s office and the Police Officers Association of Michigan for a lateral transfer program. They also approved the 2024 Sanilac County Child Care Fund Budget.
