Environmental groups embraced a 30-year carbon neutral plan on Earth Day that was written by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and unveiled by Gov. Gretchen WHITMER on Thursday.
The MI Healthy Climate Plan sets the focus on six areas in the state: Energy production, electric vehicles, decarbonizing homes and businesses, clean-energy jobs, protecting land and water, and supporting environmental justice.
“The MI Healthy Climate Plan identifies actions we can take to address climate change head on; lower costs for Michiganders, ensure every Michigan worker has a good-paying, sustainable job, and every family has clean air, water, and a home powered by clean, reliable energy,” Whitmer said.
The goal of clean energy production is to have 60% of the state’s power come from renewable sources by 2030.
One of the areas identified in the plan was set in motion Wednesday when Consumers Energy entered a settlement with the Attorney General’s office to end the use of coal-burning power plants. (See, “AG, Consumers Energy Reach Settlement To End Coal Use In Michigan” 4/20/22) The current energy grid has 27% of the energy coming from coal-powered sources.
“We applaud the State of Michigan for taking this next important step of moving Michigan’s economy towards a cleaner and more efficient future,” said Michael WEISS, policy principal with Advanced Energy Economy (AEE).
AEE is a group of tech and energy businesses, including Microsoft, Amazon, Apple and Google, all lobbying for clean energy.
Whitmer also said all state government buildings would be 100% clean energy by 2025.
The area of electric vehicles has also seen a broad push from the Whitmer administration, with funding from a $4.8 billion appropriations bill going toward building charging stations across the state.
In related news, Sen. Dayna POLEHANKI (D-Livonia) and Sen. Sean MCCANN (D-Kalamazoo) introduced SB 1016 and SB 1017 on Thursday to set incentives for buying an electric vehicle and charging equipment.
“The MI Healthy Climate Plan contains recommendations that would move our state toward a carbon-neutral transportation sector, which is now the state’s most prevalent source of climate pollution,” said Ecology Center Climate and Energy Program Director Charles GRIFFITH.
Whitmer also pointed out electric vehicle production as a source of clean-energy jobs that could be transitioned into by many already in the auto industry.
A letter was sent from Ceres Network, an environmental group involving several major corporations, on April 18 that was signed by members from Ford and GM backing Whitmer’s climate plan.
The climate plan lays out suggestions that at least 40% of climate-related and water infrastructure funding from the state would be put toward “disadvantaged communities.”
“We know the status quo in Michigan has led to higher rates of asthma and respiratory disease that other parts of the nation, and our frontline low-income and Black, Indigenous and people of color communities have shouldered the burden of dirty air and water for far too long,” said Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Michigan Chapter Director Kathleen SLONAGER.
The plan to decarbonize homes and businesses is another area that would being worked on by state departments after the Department of Licensing and Regulation opened the building codes to try to beef up energy efficiency standards in new houses and remodels. (See, “Hearings Wrap Up On Stiffer Energy Efficiency Standards For New Builds” 3/16/22)
EGLE officials created the plan after Whitmer asked for the study with the executive order signed Sept. 23, 2020. (See, “Whitmer Signs EO On Climate Control, Seeks Carbon-Neutral State By 2050” 7/23/20)
EGLE received 1,929 public comments, held seven listening sessions, hosted 17 public meetings and heard many presentations from experts before putting out the final draft of their plan.
“We applaud EGLE for being receptive to input given during the public comment period, including our call for stronger policy recommendations to advance Michigan’s clean automotive sector,” said Clean Fuels Michigan Executive Director Jane McCURRY.
