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Powering Michigan's Progress House energy plan.
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LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a comprehensive, long-term energy plan that will create thousands of jobs now for Michigan workers, keep electricity affordable for consumers and businesses, and ensure that our state has the safe, reliable power supply necessary to achieve major economic growth.
"These forward-thinking energy reforms will bring massive investment to Michigan communities, creating good-paying
jobs for our workers immediately and for years to come," said State Representative Frank Accavitti Jr. (D- Eastpointe), chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.
"The bipartisan House plan has three components – a renewable energy standard, energy efficiency measures and
strategy for new power plants – that together provide exactly what we need to jumpstart Michigan's economic
recovery.
We must act now to put this plan in motion."
Today's action will save Michigan families and businesses more than $4 billion over the next 20 years, according to the 21st Century Energy Plan from the Michigan Public Service Commission. If Michigan fails to act now, the state will be forced to buy electricity from other states to meet rising demand, which will result in much higher costs for consumers and businesses. That will also create jobs for workers in other states, rather than Michigan. Enacting the House energy plan gives Michigan control of its economic future and protects the stable flow of affordable electricity.
The House energy plan, which now goes to the Senate, will:
- Add Michigan to the more than two dozen states with a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which will attract thousands of "green-collar" jobs. Michigan's RPS will require that 10 percent of our electricity come from clean, renewable sources – such as wind, solar or hydrogen – by 2015. Providing a reliable market for investors is key to bringing home the economic benefits of the globally expanding renewable energy industry.
- Require utilities to provide energy efficiency programs for customers. Increasing energy efficiency is the best way to help keep electricity affordable for everyone, and will create thousands of jobs for workers employed at businesses that sell and install energy efficiency products or run energy efficiency programs.
- Streamline red tape to clear the way for construction of power plants that Michigan needs to meet rising demand for electricity. Companies currently won't build a power plant because Michigan's mixed-regulatory structure makes it too risky. The House plan ends this uncertainty, ensuring a stable flow of affordable electricity for residents and businesses while creating thousands of jobs for our workers who will build a power plant and operate it.
"This bipartisan legislation is important for the future of business and jobs in Michigan," said State Representative Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek), Minority Vice Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. "It is important to upgrade our energy standards as it helps to ensure future availability of safe, reliable and affordable electricity for Michigan businesses and consumers, while also encouraging conservation and the use of renewable and alternative energy sources."
At least one new power plant must be built in Michigan by 2015 to meet rising demand for electricity, according to
figures used in the Michigan Public Service Commission's 21st Century Electric Energy Plan.
A new plant has not been built in the state in about two decades; the process takes seven to 10 years.
The bipartisan House energy plan was crafted during months of discussions with consumers, industry experts, utilities and other energy providers, members of the business community, and other groups statewide.
"The House energy plan meets Michigan's most urgent needs, including creating good-paying jobs for our workers today," said House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.). "The plan provides residents and businesses with affordable electricity well into the future. And it assures companies from around the world who are considering investing in Michigan that we can provide access to the stable, reliable energy supply they need to do business."