Renewable Energy Academy workshops, local officials learning new, renewable energy zoning law

Share or view as a webpage I Update preferences

Renewable Energy Academy workshops,
local officials learning new, renewable energy zoning law

Act fast, registration closes soon!

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Renewable Energy Academy Workshop 9-5-24, Zona Martin to far right.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) along with local regional planning commissions across Michigan are hosting a series of free, Renewable Energy Academy (REA) workshops for local zoning and planning officials. The workshops provide attendees with a five-hour long deep-dive into Public Act (PA) 233. PA 233 was signed into law on November 28, 2023, and becomes effective on November 29, 2024. Under PA 233, the Michigan Public Service Commission has permitting authority for large, utility-scale, renewable energy projects across Michigan unless local officials adopt a renewable energy ordinance that is compatible with
PA 233. Please join us to learn:

How to plan and zone for large, utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage systems.
The basics of grid-connection.
Zoning pathway options allowed under PA 233.

Each workshop offers plenty of opportunity for questions and to discuss zoning options that best reflect each community's interest. EGLE staff and guest speaker, Madeleine Krol, Clean Energy Land Use Specialist, from the University of Michigan, will all be available, and each session is immediately followed by an hour of open-floor questions and answers with EGLE staff.

Register Today!

Please complete one registration form per municipality for no more than four attendees.

October 8, 2024
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission Workshop
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2024
Muskegon Community College, 221 Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, Michigan.
October 10, 2024
Region II Planning Commission Workshop
Registration Deadline: September 30, 2024
Adrian Tobias Center in the Ritchie Marketplace, Adrian College, 110 S Madison St, Adrian, Michigan.

October 28. 2024
Southcentral Michigan Planning Council Workshop
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2024
Delta Hotels by Marriott Kalamazoo Conference Center, 2747 South 11^th St., Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Learn More

View the following recorded webinars and see our REA Webpage to learn more. Check out our Renewables Ready Communities Award Webpage to find current funding options for expanding large, utility-scale access to renewable energy in Michigan.

Navigating the New Renewable Energy Siting Legislation: Insights for Local Governments (58 minutes)
In November 2023, the Michigan legislature passed the Clean Energy Future Package and the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, which included legislation that drastically alters the landscape of siting renewable energy projects in the state. Local governments, from cities to villages to townships to counties, play a key role in siting renewable energy and are now faced with understanding and adapting to this new landscape. How can your community prepare for these changes and approach challenges? Attend this webinar to learn about planning and zoning for utility-scale renewable energy in the context of the new siting process.

Michigan’s $129.1M Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Award: Creating the Renewables Ready Communities Program (59 minutes)
Deploying renewable energy at scale is critical to meeting the state’s climate and energy goals, and siting is arguably the most important barrier we face to build more solar, wind, and so much more across Michigan. The purpose of this webinar is to provide an overview of Michigan’s recently awarded $129.1 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Program/Academy Questions:

Zona Martin, [email protected]or 517-930-4697
Yingxin Wang, [email protected] or 517-614-5533
Ian O'Leary, [email protected] or 517-930-4611

Registration Questions:
Alana Berthold: [email protected]
Joel Roseberry: [email protected]