Clean Energy News

Part of clean energy package that would create thousands of jobs & reduce global warming pollution

Lansing, Mich.— Bold new legislation just introduced in the state legislature would put Michigan on a new energy path by requiring 20% of the state’s electricity to come from clean, renewable sources by 2020.  More than 40 legislators in the House and Senate are original co-sponsors of a bill that could position Michigan as the alternative energy epicenter and create thousands of high-tech manufacturing jobs.  Combined with strong energy efficiency policy, this bill would save consumers over $2 billion on electricity bills, generate over $3 billion in new salaries and help reduce the $20 billion that Michiganders spend on energy imports every year.

“HB4539 and SB 385 set the long-term targets needed to bring investment and thousands of jobs to Michigan, protect our air and water quality, and reduce global warming pollution,” said Kim Pargoff, Clean Energy Advocate for Environment Michigan.  “The Legislature’s tremendous support for these strong bills shows that Michigan must lead not lag to reap the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy.”

There are 32 wind turbines scheduled to be built in the thumb this summer, which will bring significant economic benefits to the region. “The thumb is already poised to become a worldwide leader in the production of renewable resources,” stated Representative Terry Brown (Pigeon) who co-sponsored HB 4539.  “We have the expertise, the experience, and the talented work-force – lets keep these jobs and these investments here at home instead of letting other states benefit.” 

The bill introductions come just as the legislature is debating a major overhaul of our state’s electricity system and on the heels of the Urban Core Mayors (mayors from cities whose metro areas represent 80% of our state’s population) endorsing a 15% by 2015 Renewable Energy Standard – even stronger than HB4539 and SB385. 

“We need to set the bar higher just to catch up to many of our Great Lakes neighbors,” said Senator Jim Barcia (Bay City), primary sponsor of SB385. “This bill complements similar efforts and hopefully moves the discussion forward on how we reap the maximum benefit from alternative energy as quickly as possible.”

      A recent study released by the Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center shows that strong commitments to renewable energy and energy efficiency would generate at least the following benefits (through 2020):

·        88,000 person-years of employment (over 6,800 new jobs)

·        $3.3 billion in new salaries

·        $2.2 billion in energy bill cost savings

·        30 percent reductions in power plant pollution – including global warming emissions.

“Other states are already benefiting economically because of strong renewable energy commitments,” commented Representative Robert Jones (Kalamazoo) primary sponsor of HB 4539.  “Michigan needs to show it is seriously committed to becoming a leader in alternative energy and anything short of a 20% by 2020 target would put our state at a competitive disadvantage.”

A large coalition of environmental, conservation, religious, public health, and consumer protection groups are supporting a clean energy package which includes both a 20% by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard and strong Energy Efficiency savings targets. 

“A bold, clean electricity plan will energize Michigan’s economy,” stated David Gard, Energy Program Director for Michigan Environmental Council.  “We are excited to see this bill, which is a critical piece of such a plan.  We are also looking to lawmakers to support robust energy efficiency programs as a part of a complete clean energy package.”

The Legislature is expected to hold hearings on renewable energy soon after returning from Spring Break.

Sponsors of House Bill 4539:

Robert Jones - (primary)
Gabe Leland, Alma Smith, Fran Amos, Aldo Vagnozzi, Bob Constan, Bettie Scott, Marie Donigan, Martin Griffin, Rebekah Warren, Hoon-Yung Hopgood, David Law, Richard Ball, Brenda Clack, George Cushingberry, Mary Valentine, Steve Bieda, Andy Coulouris, Terry Brown, Pam Byrnes, Marc Corriveau, Matthew Gillard, Andy Meisner, LaMar Lemmons, Kathleen Law

Sponsors of Senate Bill 385:

Jim Barcia - (primary)
Samuel Thomas, Dennis Olshove, Tupac Hunter, Michael Prusi, Glenn Anderson, Gilda Jacobs, Martha Scott, Deborah Cherry, Raymond Basham, Hansen Clarke, Gretchen Whitmer, Mark Schauer, Liz Brater, Michael Switalski, Irma Clark-Coleman, John Gleason

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Environment Michigan - a statewide, citizen-based, non-profit, non-partisan environmental advocacy organization - is the new home of PIRGIM’s environmental work.  www.environmentmichigan.org