Whitmer signs bills setting 100% clean energy standard for Michigan
By 2040, 100% of Michigan's energy is set to come from clean sources under a new law approved by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday. The state now has one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in the U.S., after Whitmer approved heavily debated bills that passed both chambers of the Legislature along party lines.
"Together, we are protecting our air, our water and our land by focusing on taking climate change head on," Whitmer said during a bill signing ceremony in Detroit, which was livestreamed by Lansing TV station WLNS. "Today is a huge win for Michigan families, for Michigan businesses and for future generations of Michiganders."
Advocates for the package say it will make Michigan a leader in clean energy generation and reduce emissions while creating new jobs in the process. But opponents, including Republicans and some business associations, have lambasted the bills, with Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, issuing a statement saying the new law creates "far-left, unworkable energy mandates that will further increase energy costs and make Michigan energy less reliable."
Whitmer was joined by lawmakers who introduced the bills and other advocates. Democratic lawmakers passed the legislation in late-night votes cast as debate over the clean energy package dragged on for hours amid intense GOP opposition.
An earlier version of the legislation included a more aggressive timeline for achieving a 100% clean energy standard, proposing a 2035 deadline. The adjusted timeline requires hitting clean energy targets along the way to 2024 with an 80% clean energy standard by 2035, a renewable standard of 50% of 2030 and 60% by 2035.
“Clean” energy doesn’t necessarily have to come from renewable sources, hence the different targets outlined in the legislation. Senate Bill 271 states that clean energy sources generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. This includes nuclear generation and natural gas generation that can capture 90% of carbon emissions.
A renewable energy source “minimizes the output of toxic material in the conversion of energy,” according to the bill, and includes electricity generated by wind, solar and hydroelectric facilities, as well as certain biomass and methane gas products, depending on how they are generated. Energy sources like petroleum, nuclear, coal and industrial waste are not considered renewable.
To help achieve clean energy goals, Whitmer also signed legislation giving the Michigan Public Service Commission the power to approve zoning applications for some solar and wind energy projects. Proponents see the shift from local zoning authorities to state regulators as a way to support the construction of energy facilities needed to meet the new clean energy benchmarks. A separate bill in the package approved by Whitmer authorizes solar facilities to be placed on farmland.
Republicans have blasted Democrats' clean energy package, characterizing it as a usurpation of local governments' authority over energy projects in their own backyards and predicting a massive increase in Michigan residents' utility bills.
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As part of the clean energy package, Whitmer also signed legislation to establish a "community and worker economic transition office" within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity focused on easing any economic toll stemming from the clean energy transition for workers with jobs tied to fossil fuel energy and internal combustion engine vehicles. The office must submit an economic transition plan to the governor and Legislature by the end of 2025.
While other states have pursued similar models, Michigan AFL-CIO communications director Aaron Pelo said that to the organization's knowledge, it's the first such transition office to include internal combustion engine vehicle workers and those working in the supply chain for those vehicles. Given the focus on the transition to electric vehicles during the United Auto Worker's recent strike against the Detroit Three automakers, Pelo called the new Michigan office "incredible news for autoworkers" in Michigan.
Whitmer also signed legislation requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission to weigh when assessing utilities' plans the effect on greenhouse gas reductions, affordability and the impact on communities affected by environmental pollution. Michigan's two largest utilities, Detroit-based DTE Energy and Jackson-based Consumers Energy, were opposed to this bill, according to committee testimony, although they were neutral on other components of the clean energy package.
Another piece of legislation signed by Whitmer requires utilities to offer energy waste reduction programs that provide specific assistance to low-income customers and if serving more than 50,000 customers, invest in hiring a diverse workforce.
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Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.