The Michigan Model for Siting Renewable Energy: Policy, Implementation, and Impacts April 17 AT 8:30 AM

The Michigan Model for Siting Renewable Energy: Policy, Implementation, and Impacts will examine how renewable energy siting policy moves from concept to practice, using Michigan’s experience as a case study with national relevance. The event will be emceed by Sarah Mills, director of the University of Michigan’s Center for EmPowering Communities and associate professor of practice at U-M’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Breakfast starts at 8:30, with programming beginning at 9:00.

The symposium will open with Nelson Falkenburg from Clean Tomorrow providing a national perspective on renewable energy siting, exploring why siting has become a central challenge in the clean energy transition, and how state and local policies are shaping what gets built across the country. This session will situate Michigan’s experience within broader political, regulatory, and community dynamics influencing renewable energy deployment nationwide.

The focus will then shift to Michigan, with Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), taking us back to the Fall of 2023, describing the origins of the Michigan model in Public Act 233 of 2023 (PA 233). He will talk about what prompted the move to reform the state’s siting laws, and what priorities shaped the law that emerged.

Madeleine Krol from UM’s Center for EmPowering Communities will then outline in detail the mechanics of the Michigan model, describing the three primary permitting pathways for large-scale projects in the state. She will also discuss how the Renewables Ready Communities Award, which provides a financial incentive to local governments that permit projects locally, is an integral part of the Michigan model.

The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion featuring Sarah Mullkoff (Michigan Public Service Commission), Laura Sherman (Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council), and Catherine Kaufman (Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches PC), leaders from varied viewpoints who were each influential in shaping the implementation of PA 233. Moderator Liesl Clark from UM’s School for Environment and Sustainability will ask the panel to reflect on how their expectations in the lead-up to the passage of PA 233 compare with their on-the-ground experiences in its implementation. Panelists will also consider lessons learned to date and what Michigan’s experience suggests for future renewable energy siting efforts.

Together, the program is designed to inform discussion and support a clearer understanding of what effective renewable energy siting looks like in practice.

Bios

Nelson Falkenburg is an energy and environmental policy expert with Clean Tomorrow, specializing in clean energy siting and permitting reform. He has worked on state-level policy research, coalition building, and advocacy to advance fair and effective siting frameworks, and is a co-author of the Siting Policy Field Guide. His work focuses on aligning policy, community engagement, and infrastructure deployment.

Dan Scripps is chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, where he oversees utility regulation and Michigan’s utility-scale renewable energy siting authority. He brings extensive experience in energy policy, governance, and regulatory decision-making, with a focus on reliability, affordability, and clean energy integration.

Madeleine Krol is a clean energy land use specialist with the University of Michigan’s Center for EmPowering Communities. She partners with local governments on zoning, ordinances, and practical guidance to help navigate renewable energy siting and planning challenges across Michigan.

Liesl Clark (moderator) is director of Climate Action Engagement at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. Her work centers on inclusive, collaborative approaches to climate policy and planning, with a focus on stakeholder engagement, equity, and practical implementation at the state and community levels.

Catherine Kaufman is a partner at Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman, and Koches. An attorney and AICP-certified planner, she serves as lead counsel to dozens of townships across the state, many of which have active or recently-approved renewable energy projects. She is a frequent instructor on municipal issues for the Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Association of Planning.

Sarah Mullkoff is manager of the Renewable Energy and Storage Siting Section at the Michigan Public Service Commission. She leads the implementation of Michigan’s utility-scale renewable energy siting framework and brings deep experience in energy regulation, policy analysis, and public engagement. Her work focuses on translating state policy into clear, workable processes for project review and approval.

Dr. Laura Sherman is president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and the Institute for Energy Innovation. She leads regulatory and policy advocacy efforts to accelerate clean energy deployment in Michigan and frequently represents industry perspectives before the Michigan Public Service Commission. Her work bridges policy design, implementation, and market realities.

This event is presented by Taubman College Urban and Regional Planning, the Center for EmPowering Communities, and Taubman College Climate Futures.