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Groups hail Gov. Whitmer for lowering costs for Michigan consumers through clean energy
New clean energy, energy efficiency laws will create jobs; represent historic shift for state
Lansing, Mich. – Groundbreaking energy legislation passed by Democrats in the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will put money back into families’ pockets, make it easier for farmers and communities to reap the benefits of clean energy projects, create jobs and reduce dangerous pollution that causes asthma, lung disease and other deadly diseases.
That’s what a diverse coalition of nonprofit advocacy organizations said tonight as Whitmer highlighted the law in her annual State of the State address.
“Moving to 100% clean energy by 2040 will create local jobs, help secure new tax revenue for communities for police, fire and roads and put an end to the status quo of Michigan sending $18 billion to other states and countries to import dirty and dangerous coal, gas and oil to power our homes and businesses,” said Derrell Slaughter, Michigan Clean Energy Advocate at
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Governor
Whitmer and Democrats in the Legislature are doing the right thing.”
The coalition hailed Whitmer as a national leader on clean energy, and pledged to beat back any efforts to undermine the law, while asking the Governor to fully fund the effort to move Michigan to cleaner, renewable energy in her upcoming state budget proposal.
“Just this week, Michigan was cited as the second-worst state in the nation for power outages because big utilities haven’t been held accountable,” said Alexis Blizman, Legislative and Policy Director at the Ecology Center. “Michigan’s clean energy laws will help ensure a pathway for modernizing our electrical grid and lowering costs for consumers. While we applaud Gov. Whitmer and Democratic lawmakers for making Michigan a leader in clean energy, we realize that there is much more work ahead to ensure equitable clean energy for all Michiganders.”
According to the recently-released
2023 Utility Performance Report from the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, the state continues to rank the worst in the Midwest when it comes to residential customers paying the highest rates for the worst electric utility service.
Under the legislation, Michigan will achieve a 100% clean energy standard by 2040, including increasing access to rooftop solar ten-fold and giving us the most robust energy efficiency standards in the country, while helping to address energy affordability, health and safety for many low-income households.
“Finally, to protect every breath you take and our Great Lakes, we enacted a historic clean energy package,” Whitmer said.
“We applaud Gov. Whitmer and Democrats in the Legislature for lowering the cost of our utility bills, and ensuring we have cleaner air to breathe and water to drink by transitioning to clean, renewable energy,” said John Freeman, Executive Director, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. “Michigan is leading the nation and it’s a new day where we are creating jobs, opportunities and generating clean energy.”
Measuring the
cost of different forms of energy, an analysis found that clean, renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are cheaper than coal and natural gas, even without subsidies.
“Michigan health professionals applaud the state’s new clean energy and efficiency laws that will improve the health of all Michigan residents, especially those living closest to fossil fuel pollution,” said Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Del Buono, Executive Director of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “Clean renewable energy means cleaner air which in turn saves lives and avoids costly medical bills, while affordable and reliable electricity is essential to protecting health!”
“Leading businesses supported the decisive clean energy action by Gov. Whitmer and the state legislature last year because they know it will reduce costs, create jobs, clean the air, and ensure Michigan will remain an industrial and manufacturing powerhouse long into the future,” said Alli Gold Roberts, senior director, state policy, at Ceres. “We celebrate the state’s new 100% clean energy standard, its responsible reforms to the permitting process, and other critical energy initiatives, and look forward to their many benefits for communities, ratepayers, the climate, and the Michigan economy.”
The following groups also expressed support for the governor’s remarks on clean energy: Michigan Environmental Council and Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
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Whitmer’s universal preK-14 plan is a ‘game changer,’ MEA president says
EAST LANSING – Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address:
“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again showed tonight why she’s the most pro public education governor Michigan has ever seen. The governor’s plan to provide every student with universal free preschool and community college is an absolute game changer. It will transform our state’s education system, provide opportunities for every student – no matter their ZIP code – and make Michigan a top destination for families, employers and talent nationwide.
“Expanding pre-K to all children regardless of family income will ensure that every child can start their educational journey on the proper footing and receive the foundational skills they need to become curious and eager lifelong learners. Study after study shows that early childhood education can make a huge difference in a student’s long-term success. The governor’s plan for free, high-quality preschool for every Michigan child will make a monumental difference for kids now and for generations to come.
“Educators are also thrilled with Gov. Whitmer’s proposal to make community college free for every high school graduate. Whether it’s through preparing students for university or by providing them with cutting-edge career training for the jobs of tomorrow, our community colleges play a critical role in creating the educated and skilled workforce Michigan needs to attract great-paying jobs and investments from businesses.
“The Michigan Education Association looks forward to working with Gov. Whitmer, lawmakers from both parties, business and community leaders and others to enact and implement Gov. Whitmer’s universal preK-14 plan. Working together, we can reimagine how we do public education and create a high-quality universal preK-14 system that will put Michigan on the map internationally as a shining beacon of opportunity, and attract the next generation of great educators.”
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The mission of the MEA is to protect, advocate, and advance the rights of all education professionals to promote quality public education for all students.
Launch Michigan response to Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State address
LANSING, Mich. – Venessa Keesler, president and CEO of Launch Michigan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reimagining Michigan’s public education system, released the following statement in response to Gov. Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address.
“Michigan’s current public education system is preparing our kids for the jobs of 50 years ago that don’t align with the growth of the knowledge economy. Only one-third of Michigan high school graduates are “ready for college,” according to SAT scores. That’s why in the Launch Michigan framework we call for ensuring access to a meaningful high school diploma so that our students are prepared for opportunities for future education, training and the workforce.”
“We look forward to working alongside Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature to make sure all Michigan students can take advantage of free, high-quality pre-K and two years of free community college, to ensure every student is set up for success.”
The Launch Michigan framework for reimagining Michigan’s public education system is built around three pillars: Responsibility, Reinvention and Resources. The Launch Michigan framework can be found here.
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Launch Michigan is a bi-partisan, multi-sector, nonprofit organization that exists to create
conditions through policy and advocacy to re-imagine Michigan’s system of public education
that gives children – and our state – a better opportunity to compete in a global economy.
Learn more at LaunchMichigan.org.
January 24, 2024
Business Leaders for Michigan – State of the State statement
“Tonight, Governor Whitmer acknowledged the significant work ahead and the need to come together to change our state’s trajectory. Every day, employers make decisions about where to invest and create jobs. To win more of those investments in 2024, we’ll need to come together to build consensus and implement solutions that make Michigan a more prosperous and competitive state,” said Jeff Donofrio, president and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan.
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About Business Leaders for Michigan:
Business Leaders for Michigan, the state’s business roundtable, is dedicated to making Michigan a Top 10 state for jobs, education, widely shared prosperity and a healthy economy. Our work is guided by the Compete to Win Plan, a comprehensive strategy for how government, community, education and business leaders can improve Michigan’s growth. The organization is composed exclusively of the executive leaders of Michigan’s largest companies and universities. Our members drive 40% of the state’s economy, employ more than 540,000 people in Michigan, generate over $1 trillion in annual revenue and serve more than half of all Michigan public university students. Find out more at www.businessleadersformichigan.com.
