Michigan governor calls for clean electricity standard in climate package to bring in federal funding, create jobs

Today, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer firmly positioned climate action and transitioning the state to 100% clean energy as a top priority for immediate legislative action during her “What’s Next” address. The speech outlined the administration’s policy priorities for the fall and urged decisive, immediate action on climate and clean energy legislation. 

Evergreen Action Midwest Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Courtney Bourgoin released the following statement on Whitmer’s call for bold climate action:

“We applaud Gov. Whitmer for her continued prioritization of passing meaningful climate legislation before the end of the year, including a 100% clean electricity standard and siting reform. Right now, Michigan has the chance to lower electricity costs, ensure grid reliability, put money back into families’ pockets, and set the state up for a safer, healthier future—but it needs to happen this fall. With the full support of the Whitmer administration, the legislature must pass a 100% clean electricity standard to help secure billions of dollars in federal funding, create a booming clean energy economy, and secure Michigan’s place as a national leader in clean energy jobs and manufacturing. Let’s get it done.”

Whitmer previously said that climate is “next up” on the agenda when the Michigan Legislature reconvenes this year. And earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II confirmed that the administration is “supportive of the more aggressive [carbon] standard” at a press event where Evergreen Action and the Energy Innovation Business Council unveiled a new 5 Lakes Energy report detailing the economic benefits of passing clean energy legislation this year. The report analyzed policies similar to those introduced by legislative champions in the House and Senate and found that by passing and enacting those bills before the end of the year, Michigan can create nearly 160,000 new jobs, lower household energy costs, and bring in $7.8 billion more in federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Michiganders strongly support a 100% clean electricity standard. A poll by Evergreen and Data for Progress released in April showed that 61% of Michiganders approve of moving to a 100% clean electricity standard by 2035.