Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, Mich. — A majority of Michiganders support the clean energy proposals in the ‘What’s Next Address,’ a speech Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered on August 30 to lay out top legislative priorities for the fall and beyond. A 100% clean energy standard, energy efficiency programs, and empowering the Michigan Public Service Commission will protect Michigan’s air, land, and lakes while creating good-paying jobs and lowering costs for families and small businesses.

100% Clean Energy Standard

To protect our air and water for future generations while creating jobs, lowering costs, and enhancing reliability, we need to expand domestic energy production.

What’s next: Enact a 100% clean energy standard for Michigan so future generations have clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. Drive down costs for consumers, reduce our reliance on foreign energy and create good-paying manufacturing jobs along the way.   

What do Michiganders think?

In a recent poll from Impact Research commissioned by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, voters across the political spectrum support policies that will protect our air and water like moving toward 100% clean energy and over two-thirds of Michiganders agree that climate change is caused at least in part by human activity, including a plurality of Republicans.In an April 2023 Data for Progress poll:73% of Michiganders support increasing the share of electricity that is produced from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.67% of Michiganders support the MI Healthy Climate Plan.61% of Michiganders support moving Michigan to a 100% clean energy electricity grid, including 60% of independents.A plurality of Michiganders wants the legislature to do more to address climate change.

In an August 2022 Data for Progress poll:71% of Michiganders want Governor Whitmer to fight for federal climate funds from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.66% of Michiganders are very or somewhat concerned with climate change.66% of Michiganders would like to see the state produce more energy from clean energy sources.64% of Michiganders support the Inflation Reduction Act, including 65% of Independents.61% of Michiganders say the state should do more to address air pollution.

Energy Efficiency

Utility bills are a monthly expense that make a real dent in family budgets. We need to find ways to lower costs so people have more money in their pockets.

What’s next: Improve energy efficiency and waste reduction programs to drive down costs for families and small businesses. Help Michiganders upgrade their homes or businesses to save the money while protecting their access to reliable power.  

What do Michiganders think?

In a recent poll from Impact Research commissioned by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, voters across the political spectrum support expanding energy efficiency.In an April 2023 Data for Progress poll, 80% of Michiganders supported increasing investments in homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency and lower energy bills.

Empowering the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC): To produce more clean, domestic energy so we can lower costs and create jobs, we need stronger tools to build more, faster.

What’s next: Bolster the MPSC by authorizing them to permit utility-scale clean energy projects the same way they can currently do so for other sources of energy. Also authorize them to consider climate and equity in their regulatory decisions so we can prioritize the health and well-being of our communities as we expand energy production.   

What do Michiganders think?

In a recent poll from Impact Research commissioned by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters:65% of Michiganders support cutting red tape and streamlining the process for permitting renewable energy such as wind and solar so that local communities can generate more tax revenue and provide services to residents.75% of Michiganders want stronger penalties and accountability for power outages. There is also broad support for allowing farmers to utilize their own land for clean energy projects. In an April 2023 Data for Progress poll, 70% of voters said the MPSC should be required to consider power reliability, resilience against extreme weather, pollution reduction, and energy affordability in all of its regulatory decisions. 

Original source can be found here.