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New Energy Future

Bills to make Michigan a clean energy leader 

At the State Capitol, citizens, lawmakers and auto industry insiders stood with Environment Michigan’s policy staff and canvass team and declared: “Now is the Time for a Strong Clean Energy Policy!”  We didn’t have to wait long for the first action.

Standing with Senator Jim Barcia, Representative Terry Brown, and former Auto Executive Frank Zaski, Environment Michigan delivered over 8,600 public comments to House Speaker Dillon calling for immediate action on clean energy policy.  Zaski presented a petition signed by over 300 auto industry insiders who want lawmakers to harness our state’s manufacturing strengths and develop a clean energy industry in Michigan.

This call to action resulted from Environment Michigan’s over 100,000 conversations with Michiganders about clean energy. Citizens, faith based organizations, public health advocates, businesses, consumer organizations and conservations groups have joined us in calling for the legislature to adopt clean energy policies.  Because Michigan has an opportunity to leverage its industrial might and become a global alternative energy epicenter, over 55 bi-partisan lawmakers have sponsored strong clean energy bills already this session.

In June, House Leadership announced a clean energy package and took the first step in moving Michigan towards a better energy future.  The Energy and Technology Chairman Frank Accavitti (Eastpointe) and House Speaker Andy Dillon (Redford Twp.) announced a plan that would call for a renewable energy goal of 25% by 2025 and requirement of 10% by 2015, which would allow Michigan to begin to break the grip that fossil fuels and nuclear power have on our state.

“Twenty-four states have a Renewable Energy Standard and over thirty have Utility Energy Efficiency Programs.  Michigan has neither and is missing out on the potential for thousands of jobs and billions in investments,” said Kim Pargoff, Energy Advocate for Environment Michigan.  “However, decision makers are beginning to see that Michigan must lead the way,  not stand in the way of clean energy development that will grow our economy, improve our air quality and protect the Great Lakes.”