LANSING — Michigan power providers would have to reach a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 under sweeping climate bills approved late Thursday and early Friday in the Democratic-led House.
Legislators also voted to let renewable developers seek state permits to site large-scale wind and solar farms in communities that block the projects.
The party-line votes capped a marathon day and night of session and likely cleared the legislation’s path to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who wants lawmakers to act this fall. The Senate, also controlled by Democrats, passed the main measures last week and appears poised to OK the siting bills next week before legislators potentially adjourn for the year.
Under Senate Bill 271, a 15% renewable mandate, which ended in 2021, would be reinstated and rise to 50% in 2030 and 60% in 2035, when a concurrent 80% “clean energy” requirement would kick in before going to 100% in 2040. Michigan currently has a goal that 35% of electric needs me met through renewable energy and energy waste reduction by 2025.
“Climate change is real and an immediate threat to the well-being and economic prosperity of our state. It’s time that Michigan does its part to address climate change,” said Rep. Jenn Hill, a Marquette Democrat. The legislation, she said, would help the state capitalize on federal funds available through the Inflation Reduction Act, reduce costs because “if we’re powered by the sun and we’re powered by the wind, we are not sending money back out to Wyoming to pay for coal or to Texas to pay for natural gas.”
Republicans, echoing concerns from business groups that oppose mandates, said the bills would lead to higher rates, make electricity less reliable and hurt the state’s economic standing.
Read the rest of the story at Crain’s Detroit.
