This bill requires operators of large-scale solar energy facilities in Michigan, defined as those with 50 megawatts or more of capacity, to implement cybersecurity measures to protect safety-critical systems. The law mandates that these facilities follow a risk-based security program aligned with national standards and report material cyber incidents to state and local authorities within 24 to 72 hours. Operators must also maintain incident response plans for coordinating with emergency responders, while specific security details remain confidential and are exempt from public disclosure. The legislation does not regulate facility siting, create new regulatory oversight, or impose additional costs on local governments, and it allows facilities to use existing staff to meet compliance requirements.
This bill allows electric utilities and other infrastructure providers to build and maintain electronic transmission lines within existing highway rights-of-way without needing separate consent from local governments. It establishes a fee structure for using these spaces, caps permit fees at $1,000 per mile, and requires that any installed lines be underground to avoid increasing road maintenance costs. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the state transportation department share future road plans with utility developers and provide a five-year notice before requiring the relocation of high-voltage transmission lines.
This Michigan bill creates a new regulatory framework requiring large-scale data centers to register with the state and pay fees based on their energy consumption. It defines a large-scale data center as a facility with at least 5 megawatts of power or 25,000 square feet of space, while excluding schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Owners must post financial security to cover potential environmental or infrastructure costs and reimburse any research expenses related to public safety reviews. The legislation also establishes a specific fund to manage these revenues and grants the state department of environment, Great Lakes, and energy the authority to set rules and enforce compliance.
This bill prohibits local governments in Michigan, such as cities and counties, from creating or enforcing taxes and regulations based on carbon emissions, energy consumption, or vehicle miles traveled. It defines these restricted measures broadly to include fees on greenhouse gases, specific fuel types, and mandatory emissions trading programs. If passed, any existing local rules violating these restrictions would become invalid, and local entities would be barred from using public funds to defend such policies in court. The legislation also allows individuals to sue to stop the implementation of these prohibited local measures and grants them the right to recover legal fees if they win the case.
This bill modifies the Michigan Solar Energy Facilities Taxation Act to create a tax exemption for solar projects located in designated HOPE zones. Under the proposed changes, solar facilities in these areas would not be subject to the standard annual tax, which is normally $7,000 per megawatt of capacity. The exemption applies only to the specific tax portion of the fee and is tied to the duration of the HOPE zone designation. The bill also includes a tie-bar provision, meaning it will only become effective if two other related bills are passed by the legislature.
HB 5940 allows electric utilities and other providers to install electronic transmission infrastructure, such as high-voltage power lines, within existing highway rights-of-way without needing separate consent from local governments. The bill establishes specific standards for underground placement to avoid increasing road maintenance costs and introduces a fee structure where utilities pay a one-time permit fee, with revenues dedicated to highway capital and maintenance. Additionally, the legislation creates a coordination process between the state transportation department and utilities to identify suitable routes and includes protections that prevent the state from relocating transmission lines for at least five years once a route is approved.
This bill requires operators of battery energy storage facilities in Michigan to implement specific cybersecurity and physical safety measures to protect critical infrastructure. It mandates the creation of risk-based security programs aligned with national standards, along with essential safety features like automatic shutdowns, redundant cooling, and network segmentation. Additionally, operators must develop incident response and disaster recovery plans that outline roles, communication procedures, and coordination with emergency services. Facilities with a storage capacity greater than one megawatt are directly affected by these new requirements, which include a daily civil fine of up to $25,000 for violations. The legislation takes effect 90 days after it is enacted into law.
This bill establishes the "Data Center Planning and Responsibility Act" to regulate how Michigan local governments can pause the approval of large-scale data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities. It allows counties, cities, and townships to impose a voluntary moratorium on these projects only if they follow specific steps, such as holding public hearings, requiring impact studies on energy and water use, and banning elected officials from signing nondisclosure agreements about the projects. The law limits any initial pause to six months and any extension to 90 days, while also mandating that the pause be justified by public health, safety, or general welfare concerns. Additionally, the bill creates a process for project owners to appeal a moratorium based on extraordinary hardship and requires local governments to vote on whether to lift the pause before it expires.
This bill creates a new felony offense for knowingly and maliciously interfering with the operational technology of specific critical infrastructure facilities. It directly affects individuals who intentionally disrupt systems such as large electric substations, significant battery storage units, major water facilities, large data centers, and natural gas storage sites. The law establishes two tiers of punishment: a standard penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or a harsher penalty of up to 30 years and a $300,000 fine if the disruption harms emergency services, hospitals, water systems, or causes over $1 million in damage. The legislation explicitly excludes lawful protests, authorized research, and law enforcement activities from these restrictions.
This bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act to update the legal definitions of renewable energy resources and systems. It expands the definition of renewable energy resources to include specific biomass sources like sustainably managed wood and certain waste-derived materials, while explicitly excluding natural gas, petroleum, and nuclear power. The legislation also clarifies which facilities qualify as renewable energy systems, such as landfill gas recovery plants and methane digesters, while excluding new hydroelectric dams and incinerators from the definition. These changes aim to provide clearer guidance for compliance with the state's renewable energy standards and credit programs.
