Michigan governor signs clean energy package to secure billions in federal funding, lower household energy costs
In response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing a clean energy legislative package, including a 100 percent clean energy standard by 2040, Evergreen Action Midwest Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Courtney Bourgoin released the following statement:
“Today, Governor Whitmer signed a 100 percent clean energy standard into law and set an example for industrial states across the country. Right now, unprecedented federal investment from the Inflation Reduction Act is available to states like Michigan to foster a prosperous clean energy economy while simultaneously lowering household energy costs and reducing harmful pollution. By enacting these policies, Michigan has moved to unlock billions of that federal funding to help establish the state’s position as a national leader in clean energy jobs and manufacturing.
“We are incredibly grateful to the passionate advocates, community members, and legislative leaders who worked to get us here and deliver a win for Michiganders. The clean energy and siting policies signed today will stimulate local economies across the state and tackle issues from one of the dirtiest, least reliable energy grids in the nation. But this is just the beginning. These policies must be followed by meaningful and actionable efforts to ensure utilities are meeting these goals and delivering cost savings to Michiganders. Today, we celebrate. And tomorrow, we get back to work.”
The governor also signed critical companion legislation, including a package that will modernize Michigan’s wind and solar siting process while establishing essential community benefits agreements and a bill to create a community and worker economic transition office within the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
Earlier this year, Evergreen Action and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council unveiled a report from 5 Lakes Energy detailing the economic benefits of passing a clean energy standard and other climate policies. 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 additional measures would secure $7.8 billion more in federal investment from the Inflation Reduction Act and drive the creation of nearly 160,000 quality jobs.
In addition to the economic benefits, 100 percent clean energy is also extremely popular among Michigan voters. In a Data for Progress poll released in April, 65 percent of voters supported legislation to transition the state’s energy grid to 100 percent clean energy and 73 percent of polled voters want the Legislature to do more to keep energy bills affordable. Michigan ranks 10th nationally among all states for climate pollution, making a clean power sector essential for both state and national climate commitments.