Legislation called for in What’s Next Address will lower costs, create jobs, protect air, water, and health while facing climate change head on and making Michigan a national leader  

LANSING, Mich. —Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after Senate passage of the clean energy legislative package, Thursday, that will lower costs, create jobs, shore up energy independence, and help Michigan face climate change as a national leader.  

“This clean energy package is a big deal for Michigan families, Michigan workers, and Michigan’s economy. 

“These bills will balance reliability and affordability and help us protect our air and our water and improve public health. They will help us bring home more cutting-edge manufacturing investments so we can make solar panels, wind turbines, and more right here in Michigan, supporting good-paying jobs, high-skill jobs that are a ticket to the middle class. And they will make Michigan a national leader in clean energy, shoring up our position as the best place to start your family, your career, or your business.

“I am grateful to the Senate for taking the first step. I look forward to the House taking action on these bills and other legislation that accelerates the deployment of clean energy soon so we can get this done. As I said in my What’s Next Address, let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

Michigan’s Clean Energy Leadership & Opportunity

Earlier this year, 5 Lakes Energy released a report on the clean energy package. The report found that in addition to saving Michigan households an average of $145 a year in energy costs, policies like the ones in the package and would help secure $7.8 billion more in federal investment from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and create nearly 160,000 jobs.  

The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. Michigan now leads the Midwest in number of clean energy workers. 

Michiganders support clean energy. The 100 percent clean energy is popular. In a poll Evergreen released in April with Data for Progress, 65 percent of voters supported legislation to transition the state’s energy grid to 100 percent clean energy and 73 percent want the Legislature to do more to keep energy bills affordable. 

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Clean Energy Future Plan propels Michigan forward in climate fight

Senate Bills move Michigan to 100% clean energy by 2040, boost rooftop solar, energy efficiency, invest in low-income communities

 

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement in support of the Michigan Clean Energy Future Plan, a package of bills approved by the Senate today that would transition Michigan to 100% clean energy, boost energy efficiency investments in communities across the state, and require the Michigan Public Service Commission to consider impacts to public health when regulating utility companies.

 

“This package represents important and significant progress and makes Michigan a regional partner in the fight to address climate change in the Midwest,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “In the face of razor-thin margins and deep-pocketed lobbying by DTE and Consumers, Senate Democrats passed bills that focus on kitchen-table issues that Michiganders have been demanding action on: like creating good-paying jobs, especially in communities most impacted by the climate crisis, and lowering energy bills through improved weatherization programs.”

 

“We look forward to swift action in the House on this important legislation so Michigan can capitalize on federal funds available through the Inflation Reduction Act, and seize the moment for broad clean energy progress.”

 

Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502 create a 100% clean electricity standard, expand access to energy efficiency programs and empower the Michigan Public Service Commission to regulate big energy utility companies on a broader array of issues impacting residents.

 

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Michigan Senate approves Clean Energy Future bills

50% renewable energy standard by 2030; energy efficiency programs important step

 

LANSING, Mich. – A coalition of groups today released the following statement after the Michigan Senate passed the Clean Energy Future bill package (Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502).

 

“Although the legislative process creates a give and take in negotiations, at the end of the day, this package of bills advances clean energy goals because it sets a much higher, yet achievable and binding, renewable energy standard than current utility plans – and a requirement of 100% clean energy by 2040. Importantly, this legislation increases the use of rooftop solar and embraces the capability of energy storage to improve our grid’s reliability. In addition, the state’s energy efficiency programs, which seek to reduce our energy use, are re-invigorated with this package and more dollars are being committed to health and safety upgrades for low-income residents. Critically, these bills provide the Michigan Public Service Commission more tools to regulate big utilities and ensure more residents are able to participate in that oversight. Without these bills, Michiganders would continue to pay the highest rates for the worst service in the Midwest, as many independent reports have highlighted throughout the years. The ramping up of renewable energy generation and energy efficiency programs is projected to lower costs. We want to thank the senators who voted today for taking this first step toward cleaner air to breathe and water to drink, reducing dangerous diseases like asthma and protecting the Great Lakes we all rely on for our way of life. We will continue to advocate for the strongest Clean Energy Future bill package so we can protect our future and the future of the next generation of Michiganders.”

 

The following groups signed onto this statement:

Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA); American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; Michigan Environmental Council; Evergreen Action; Audubon Great Lakes; Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action; and the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America - Michigan Chapter.

 

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