Business trade organizations applaud final passage of House Bills 5120-5121 and Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502
LANSING (November 8, 2023) – Advanced energy industry groups, including the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), American Clean Power Association (ACP), Advanced Energy United (United), and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)Wednesday applauded the final passage of legislation to streamline and improve the siting of wind, solar, and energy storage projects (House Bills 5120-5121) as well as bills to set a 100% carbon-free energy standard by 2040, enact an energy storage requirement, increase energy waste reduction, and improve customer access to rooftop (Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502). The trade organizations, which collectively represent hundreds of businesses in the clean power industry, urged Governor Whitmer to sign the bills into law.
In order for Michigan to achieve our expanded clean energy goals, House Bills 5120-5121 establish a common sense process that balances local government involvement with the expertise at the Michigan Public Service Commission to make decisions regarding large utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects. The bills also ensure that the benefits from projects flow to local communities, construction workers will be paid prevailing wages, and environmental protections will be upheld. This legislation will allow farmers with farmland that has been in their family for generations to keep that land and gain a new source of income. Combined with Senate Bills 271, 273, and 502, which expand renewable energy, energy storage, energy efficiency, and access to rooftop solar, this legislation will create jobs and economic opportunity across Michigan.
“Michigan EIBC appreciates the legislature’s careful, balanced approach to reduce hurdles with the siting of wind, solar, and storage projects,” said Dr. Laura Sherman, President of Michigan EIBC. “With the Governor’s signature, these laws will ensure Michigan’s leadership position in the clean energy industry, supporting job and economic growth across the state.”
“CGA congratulates the Michigan legislature for showing unwavering support on climate and clean energy by approving this package of bills,” said Peder Mewis, Regional Policy Director with CGA. “The renewable energy industry relies on a stable and predictable permitting environment. These siting and permitting reforms will ensure that Michigan can realize their carbon free goals while creating good paying jobs, unlocking billions in rural economic development and protecting private property rights.”
“The leadership shown by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature on these critical energy issues represents a major step forward for Michigan. This legislation allows for the clean energy industry to continue to better deliver on new jobs, tax revenue and investment in the state,” said Erika Kowall, Director, Midwest State Affairs, American Clean Power Association (ACP).
“These legislative packages offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the energy transition,” said Trish Demeter, Managing Director with Advanced Energy United. “With a 100% clean energy goal, and reduced barriers to building wind, solar and energy storage projects, Michigan affirms its place as a leader in the clean energy economy.”
“This legislation marks a historic step forward for Michigan’s clean energy economy,” said Markus Pitchford, central regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The package will bring billions of dollars of investments and thousands of new jobs to the state – from project development and installation to manufacturing. It features provisions to support solar and storage projects of all sizes, including a significant boost to net metering caps for rooftop solar and siting and permitting reforms that are critical for large-scale solar and storage development. The solar and storage industry looks forward to working with the Whitmer administration, as well as state and local agencies, to implement these monumental laws.”
Below is information that was coming out just before the approval vote:
Michigan Senate committee cuts red tape for clean energy projects
Coalition urgently calls on full Senate to vote on legislation that improves wind, solar and energy storage siting in local communities
LANSING, Mich. – A coalition of groups praised the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee for passing legislation to streamline and improve the siting of wind, solar, and energy storage projects (House Bills 5120-5121) and urged the full chamber to vote on it before the Legislature adjourns.
The bill package would continue to allow local communities that want clean energy projects to have a say in the process while creating a pathway for experts at the Michigan Public Service Commission to make decisions regarding large utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects.
“We applaud the Senate committee members who voted to streamline the permitting process for renewable energy, like wind and solar,” said Charlotte Jameson, Chief Policy Officer at Michigan Environmental Council. “This legislation will also help reduce red tape holding back clean, renewable energy projects across Michigan. We encourage the full Michigan Senate to pass this legislation quickly.“
“Building out the infrastructure to provide clean, healthy forms of energy like solar and wind is essential to protecting the health of all Michigan residents,” stated Elizabeth Del Buono MD, Executive Director of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “This nuanced legislation that allows for both local input as well as potential input from the MPSC will expedite the build out of critical infrastructure that will help us transition away from unhealthy fossil fuels and ensure that all Michigan residents have clean air to breathe.”
Additional groups urging a vote in the Senate include: Evergreen Action, Ecology Center, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter, and Ceres.
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The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) is a trade organization with more than 140 business members. Our mission is to grow Michigan’s opportunities for innovation and business growth by offering a unified voice to create a business-friendly environment for the advanced energy industry in Michigan. Michigan EIBC represents companies across the full range of the advanced energy sector, including: advanced materials, batteries and energy storage, biomass and biofuels, combined heat and power, community development, consulting, demand response, electric vehicles and mobility, energy efficiency, geothermal, law, lighting, lobbying and advocacy, performance contracting, purchasers of renewable energy, smart grid and optimization, solar, and wind. Advanced Energy Economy is a National Associate Member of Michigan EIBC.
