The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has launched a unique searchable database of municipal ordinances across Michigan that address siting for renewable energy installations like solar and wind. The database was developed in collaboration with the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan and is the first of its kind in the state and nation. Over half of Michigan’s more than 1,800 municipalities have considered renewable energy in their zoning ordinances. The database acts as an in-depth resource guide for municipalities developing ordinances or for developers looking to site wind, solar, or other alternative energy projects. For example, some townships in St. Clair County are zoned for both solar and wind energy, while some are not. Greenwood Township is listed as having “Projects Sites in Jurisdiction” for “Utility Scale Solar Project.” Marion and Minden Townships in Sanilac County are listed as having Utility Scale Wind Projects sited in their jurisdiction. The renewable energy zoning database can be found at Michigan.gov/Energy.
