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I’ve done a lot of reporting on the experiences of Farmers and Landowners across the Midwest, who have endured far-right wing harassment, abuse and even threats of violence simply for wishing to site clean energy on their land. Michigan’s new energy legislation reflects awareness of that injustice, and provides for State level action if cowed or cowardly local boards tie up projects with “poison pill” ordinances. The state Public Service Commission will stand up new staff to handle such siting challenges, if locals can’t find agreement with landowners and clean energy developers. The legislation provides a number of protections for local interests, as well as specific standards for such sticky issues as setbacks, noise and buffers.
One of the farmers I interviewed in the course of the last year has become a symbol for the property rights of landowners – Clara Ostrander of Azalia, Michigan, was invited to the podium at the signing ceremony.
I’ve been working more and more across the midwest, having just returned from the Peoria, Illinois area in support of solar. Because social media is everywhere, Anti-science, anti-democracy mobs are a fixture anywhere there is local governance, much like the rabid anti-vaxxers and book burners we see so much of. They seem to have a particular strain of virulence in Michigan, have trained leadership, and access to funding. They are not going away easily. For the moment, they are on their heels, but a massive informational campaign is going to be needed to push back on the conspiracists, and bolster allies in the legislature, labor, and among activists. Much more to come.
