LANSING – House and Senate lawmakers joined environmental, public health, and clean energy advocates today to send a message: transitioning to reliable, 100% clean, renewable energy is a top priority.

“The time for bold action on addressing climate change is long overdue. Bringing these bills before the Energy and Environment Committee in June signals our commitment to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to make Michigan a better, safer place to live and work,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh. “I look forward to continuing this critical conversation and making Michigan a leader in creating an environmentally sustainable future.”

Senate Bills 271, SB 272, and SB 273 have been introduced that would:

• Create a 100% carbon-free electricity standard by 2035.  
• Expand policies that conserve energy because such energy savings will mean less pollution in our air and water and more savings for consumers. 
• Empower and require the Michigan Public Service Commission to regulate and hold big utilities accountable for equity, health, affordability, and climate impacts. 

The House recently announced the Reliability, Resilience, and Accountability Task Force.

“There is a place for everyone in our clean energy future here in Michigan: electricians doing wiring for energy efficient buildings and renewable energy projects, carpenters retrofitting our homes to lower energy usage, line workers to make the batteries that will power our homes and vehicles,” said Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette. “We can reduce costs with affordable, reliable clean, renewable energy, which we know in the U.P. is critical to our pocketbooks and economic development since we pay the highest electric rates in the lower 48. We plan to release bills that will complement the Senate bills and look forward to working with our colleagues to get clean energy legislation across the finish line.”

“We have a moment like never before here in Michigan to invest in our people, protect our air and water, create clean energy jobs, and lead the fight on tackling climate change – the challenge of our lifetime,” said Wesley Watson, West Michigan Regional Coordinator for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Taking action on climate change truly is a kitchen table issue. Michiganders across the state are demanding action on climate change. They are looking to leaders like the ones gathered here to act.”

“For far too long, Michigan utilities have relied on dirty coal and gas that have fueled climate change, while suppressing renewable energy through caps they control,” said Max Kendall, environmental justice organizer for Michigan United. “Extreme weather events are becoming all too frequent, with the ensuing power outages affecting the daily lives and health of Michiganders. We all should be able to participate in the clean energy evolution, that means allowing communities to come together and invest in community solar. It also means removing restrictions and barriers to putting solar panels on rooftops so families can generate their own clean energy.”

“Pollution is driving climate change and making people sick today, which means solutions to addressing climate will reduce deadly diseases and ultimately save lives,” said Dr. Elizabeth (Lisa) Del Buono, founder and current president of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “We commend Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for championing climate solutions because they are health solutions, but for the sake of our health and the health of our children today and in the future, we urge the Legislature to act now on these important climate policies.”

“For Michigan to remain a leader in clean energy jobs, we need strong state policies that are aligned with the unprecedented amount of available federal dollars,” said John Freeman, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. “Addressing climate change has many economic benefits for Michigan workers. Transitioning to clean energy, like solar, and investing in energy efficiency will also create thousands of good-paying union jobs including jobs in manufacturing, construction, engineering, maintenance, and more. The kind of jobs that allow people to support their families and pump money into local economies and local small businesses.”

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