Solar & Wind Training Offered for Planning Officials

On Monday, December 12th from 7-9pm, the Sanilac County Planning Commission has invited Dr. Sarah Mills from the University of Michigan to offer an online training for planning commissioners and local government officials on the local impacts of renewable energy. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The Sanilac County Planning Commission is currently working on a new county-wide land use Master Plan, and this is one of the most critical areas that our townships need to consider in the coming decade.
Nearly every jurisdiction in Michigan will be approached about renewable energy installations within the next five years, and many municipalities are struggling to catch up with zoning legalities. This session will provide communities with perspective and strategy for how to plan for and regulate solar and wind energy systems.
As part of a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Mills and colleagues have created extensive online resources to help communities as they plan and zone for renewable energy. The aim of these resources is to help communities understand the positive and negative impacts of wind and solar projects so that they can make informed decisions about whether and where renewable energy might be appropriate in their township. Drawn from a series of trainings on renewable energy for local officials across the state, this webinar will be tailored specifically to Sanilac County.
To join the Zoom webinar, follow this shortened link: myumi.ch/84wRb . For phone access, dial 1-301-715-8592 and enter this Webinar ID: 931 8922 1298.
Online attendees will be able to submit questions during the webinar. If you are unable to attend but have questions for Dr. Mills, you are invited to submit them ahead of time to sanilacmasterplan@gmail.com. The event will be recorded and will be posted on the County’s Website following the event.