Solar panels at the DTE O’Shea Solar Park in Detroit. Credit: © Kelly Jordan and Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK [1] In June 2023, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced a new initiative to help the city further its sustainability goals while simultaneously making productive use of its numerous acres of unoccupied land. [1] The plan: convert 250 acres of vacant land in nine Detroit neighborhoods into solar panel farms to power the city’s 127 municipal buildings. [2] The plan was supported at its outset by long-time climate activists who praised the initiative as a way to fight the climate crisis through the rapid and equitable decarbonization of vulnerable households. [3] In addition to providing a source of renewable energy for municipal buildings, the plan also promised to provide $25,000 in community benefits including home repairs, solar power, and parks and recreation improvement for every acre of solar farm assembled. [4] However, in addition to the enthusiasm exhibited...
University of Michigan Law School Community Enterprise Clinic (CEC) Blog