Today, leaders in the Michigan House of Representatives introduced several pieces of major climate and clean energy climate legislation. The bills, among other efforts, include proposals to:
- Transition the state to 100% clean electricity by 2035
- Increase energy efficiency requirements, especially in low-income homes
- Reform the state’s public service commission so it can prioritize climate resilience, clean energy, and energy affordability
Learn more about the House package here. A companion climate package in the state Senate was also introduced in April.
Evergreen Action Midwest Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Courtney Bourgoin released the following statement regarding the new House legislation:
“The new House climate package provides a commonsense and realistic roadmap for Michigan to become a national leader on climate action and clean energy job creation. This legislation will lower energy bills for Michiganders, improve health outcomes, and create jobs in communities across the state.
“Over the past several months, Michigan residents have endured electricity rate hikes, power outages, and thick smoke from climate-fueled forest fires. Michiganders are already bearing the economic and health burden of climate change and of Michigan’s overreliance on volatile fossil fuels. It’s time for the Michigan Legislature to act with urgency and put strong climate legislation on Governor Whitmer’s desk.
“Recent polling shows that 65% of voters support transitioning to 100% clean power by 2035, and 67% of voters support Governor Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan. This package of bills would deliver on the popular climate and clean energy policies Michiganders want, and the governor has also stated that it should be next on the agenda for this legislative session. Now is the time to act.”