2-24-2025

Editor, Residents of Michigan, and concerned citizens,

Please contact your Michigan state representatives to support and vote for House Bills 4027 and 4028. These bills would return power to local governments such as my township, Freedom Township. It was a serious usurpation of local power by the state legislature when Public Act 233 was passed in 2023. It took effect on 29 November 2024. Who but the local township government would know what the township needs and wants but our local officials? I certainly do not want a large-scale solar array or a large-scale wind farm across the road from my home, would you? Passage of Public Act 233 granted nameless, faceless bureaucrats in Lansing the power to put one of these eyesores anywhere that Lansing deems fit, including in front of your home. Here’s a bit of common sense for you. A large-scale solar array placed on agricultural land effectively removes that land from production. As land is removed from food production, farmers must find ways to increase crop yields. Usually, one of the few ways available to a farmer to increase food production is to increase the use of fertilizer. My understanding is that most fertilizer used on a farm comes from petroleum. So, that would lead to more drilling for fossil fuels because the farmers would need more fertilizer. That really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it? I was stationed in Germany for three years and they have wind turbines dotting the landscape. One thing I noticed was the wind turbines make a lot of noise when they’re turning. I bet you didn’t know that! In closing, I once again urge you to support and vote for House Bills 4027 and 4028.

Thank you,
Thomas J. Quinn
Freedom Township

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