January 22, 2008, Introduced by Senators PAPPAGEORGE, BIRKHOLZ, RICHARDVILLE, KAHN, BISHOP, SANBORN, ANDERSON, BASHAM, ALLEN, HARDIMAN, SWITALSKI, JANSEN, KUIPERS and VAN WOERKOM and referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities.
A bill to amend 1996 PA 376, entitled
"Michigan renaissance zone act,"
by amending section 8e (MCL 125.2688e), as added by 2006 PA 270.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 8e. (1) The board, upon recommendation of the board of
the Michigan strategic fund defined in section 4 of the Michigan
strategic fund act, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2004, may designate not
more than 10 additional renaissance zones for renewable energy
facilities within this state in 1 or more cities, villages, or
townships if that city, village, or township or combination of
cities, villages, or townships consents to the creation of a
renaissance zone for a renewable energy facility within their
boundaries.
(2) Each renaissance zone designated for a renewable energy
facility under this section shall be 1 continuous distinct
geographic area.
(3) The board may revoke the designation of all or a portion
of a renaissance zone for a renewable energy facility if the board
determines that the renewable energy facility does 1 or more of the
following in a renaissance zone designated under this section:
(a) Fails to commence operation.
(b) Ceases operation.
(c) Fails to commence construction or renovation within 1 year
from the date the renaissance zone for the renewable energy
facility is designated.
(4) When designating a renaissance zone for a renewable energy
facility, the board shall consider all of the following:
(a) The economic impact on local suppliers who supply raw
materials, goods, and services to the renewable energy facility.
(b) The creation of jobs relative to the employment base of
the community rather than the static number of jobs created.
(c) The viability of the project.
(d) The economic impact on the community in which the
renewable energy facility is located.
(e) All other things being equal, giving preference to a
business entity already located in this state.
(f) Whether the renewable energy facility can be located in an
existing renaissance zone designated under section 8 or 8a.
(g) The impact on utility ratepayers.
(5)
Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act that
added
this subsection July 1, 2006, the board shall require a
development agreement between the Michigan strategic fund and the
renewable energy facility.
(6) Until the maximum number of additional renaissance zones
for renewable energy facilities described in subsection (1) is met,
if the board designates a renaissance zone under this section,
section 8c, or section 8f for a facility that is a forest products
processing facility or an agricultural processing facility and that
also meets the definition of a renewable energy facility, then the
board shall only designate that renaissance zone as a renaissance
zone for a renewable energy facility under this section.
(7) As used in this section, "development agreement" means a
written agreement between the Michigan strategic fund and the
renewable energy facility that includes, but is not limited to, all
of the following:
(a) A requirement that the renewable energy facility comply
with all state and local laws.
(b) A requirement that the renewable energy facility report
annually to the Michigan strategic fund on all of the following:
(i) The amount of capital investment made at the facility.
(ii) The number of individuals employed at the facility at the
beginning and end of the reporting period as well as the number of
individuals transferred to the facility from another facility owned
by the renewable energy facility.
(iii) The percentage of raw materials purchased in this state.
(c) Any other conditions or requirements reasonably required
by the Michigan strategic fund.