Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Thinking overall about topics related to energy, how relevant would you say regulating placement of energy infrastructure (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, etc.) on private property in your community has been or currently is for your jurisdiction’s government?

Thinking overall about topics related to energy, how relevant would you say siting energy infrastructure on public property in your jurisdiction has been or currently is for your jurisdiction’s government?

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for whether or not to have any renewable energy projects in a community? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for whether or not to have large renewable energy projects in a community? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for the types of renewable energy that belong in a community (e.g., wind vs. solar)? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for where renewable energy belongs in a community (e.g., which zoning districts)? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for the parameters for renewable energy projects (e.g., required setbacks, sound limits)? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some people think that certain policy issues should be managed at the state level rather than the local level. Others think local home rule is more important. When it comes to zoning for renewable energy projects, how do you think authority should be divided between the local and state levels of government for conducting public hearings on proposed renewable energy projects for a community? (Among jurisdictions that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some jurisdictions engage in land use planning and/or zoning. Others rely on their county government, or their jurisdiction doesn’t have planning and zoning at all. Is your jurisdiction responsible for its own land use planning and/or zoning?(Among cities, townships, and villages that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some county governments engage in land use planning and/or have county-zoned townships. Other counties don’t plan or zone at all. Does your county government have a Master Plan and/or any county-zoned townships? (Among counties that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Would your jurisdiction find additional funds or grants (e.g., for public engagement activities, for hiring planning or legal consultants, etc.) useful for planning and/or zoning on energy issues? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Would your jurisdiction find templates (e.g., Master Plan language, sample public engagement surveys, etc.) useful for planning and/or zoning on energy issues? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Would your jurisdiction find access to technical experts on local impacts of energy (e.g., on wildlife, property values, sound levels, etc.) useful for planning and/or zoning on energy issues? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Would your jurisdiction find training for jurisdiction staff or officials (e.g., interactive webinars, county-level in-person trainings, etc.) useful for planning and/or zoning on energy issues? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Would your jurisdiction find customized technical assistance (e.g., review of draft ordinances, participation in planning commission meetings, etc.) useful for planning and/or zoning on energy issues? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction’s government has sufficient 
information to zone for renewable energy? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction has sufficient access to expertise to review renewable energy site plans? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that your jurisdiction has sufficient access to legal 
counsel on renewable energy siting matters? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Thinking about any discussions about renewable energy zoning in your jurisdiction, how would you describe the tone of those discussions among elected officials themselves? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Thinking about any discussions about renewable energy zoning in your jurisdiction, how would you describe the tone of those discussions between elected officials and residents? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Thinking overall about topics related to energy, how relevant would you say regulating placement of energy infrastructure (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines) on private property in your community has been or currently is for your jurisdiction’s government?

Some jurisdictions engage in land use planning and/or zoning. Others rely on the county, or they don’t plan and zone at all. Is your jurisdiction responsible for its own land use planning and/or zoning? (Among cities, townships, and villages that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Some counties engage in land use planning and/or have county-zoned townships. Other counties don’t plan or zone at all. Does your county have a Master Plan and/or any county-zoned townships? (Among counties that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues)

Now, thinking about your jurisdiction’s current planning and/or zoning on energy issues, as far as you know, how do your plans and/or ordinances treat utility-scale wind energy? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)

Now, thinking about your jurisdiction’s current planning and/or zoning on energy issues, as far as you know, how do your plans and/or ordinances treat rooftop solar panels? (Among jurisdiction that have at least considered plans / policies regarding energy issues and are responsible for their own planning and/or zoning)