The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces they will be hosting the Renewable Energy Academy (REA), a series of free workshops in select regions across Michigan providing local officials, zoning administrators, planning commissioners, planning staff, etc., with information to proactively prepare for the new siting landscape required under Public Act (PA) 233. Timing is important, as PA 233 becomes effective on November 29, 2024.
The REA will provide attendees with a five-hour long deep-dive into local planning and zoning for large, utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage systems.聽 The academy will cover the basics of grid-connection, as well as specific zoning pathways communities can consider under PA 233.聽 The academy will not focus on policy.聽 It will provide neutral guidance and an opportunity to discuss zoning options that best reflect each community’s interest in expanding access to renewable energy with EGLE staff.
Each REA runs from 10:00 a.m. 鈥� 2:00 p.m. and is immediately followed by an optional “office hour” session with EGLE staff.聽聽Lunch is complimentary and REA topics that will be covered include:
- Basics of renewable energy.
- Planning and zoning for renewable energy technologies.
- PA 233, zoning pathways and “workability鈥� options.
- Guided activities.
- Guest speaker insights from the University of Michigan, Center for EmPowering Communities,
- Question and answers throughout