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Clean, Renewable Energy

During the 2007-2008 legislative session, a package of bills was passed that begin to put Michigan on a path to a cleaner energy future.  However, Michigan’s incentives for clean energy investments are not as strong as our Midwestern neighbors.  Michigan has the resources to lead the nation in clean energy innovations that have the power to transform our economy. But we must put stronger policies in place to encourage far greater investments. In addition, current law does not do enough to address the need for rapid investment in energy efficiency, which has proven to be a simple, cost-effective policy that spurs immediate job creation, reduces energy consumption, and saves business and residents money.  
 
The ReEnergize Michigan! Campaign champions progressive legislation to make Michigan a leader in the jobs of the future by investing in clean, alternative energy industries, like advanced batteries, wind and solar power. The campaign is also addressing the need to protect Michigan consumers from home foreclosures due to energy bill non-payment and shut-offs, as well as increasing investment in low-income home weatherization projects.
 
The public is hungry for bold policies that provide incentives for immediate job growth with an eye towards sustainability.  Increasing investment in clean, alternative energy and energy efficiency demonstrates to the public that Michigan’s legislature is willing to do what it takes to change the direction of our state’s economy.  

ReEnergize Michigan! Campaign Platform

Create powerful incentives for clean, alternative energy production and manufacturing:
Michigan must create and expand tax incentives for clean, alternative energy production and manufacturing, with the goal of luring clean energy industries to the state and creating thousands of good jobs for our skilled workers. Michigan must also promote a clean energy economy with groundbreaking programs helping residential customers and businesses become alternative energy entrepreneurs.  Utilities must pay a fair price, including a return on investment, for electricity generated and put onto the grid. This policy is often referred to as a Feed-in-Tariff, but the bill that has been introduced to meet this policy objective is called the Renewable Energy Sources Act, HB 4137.

Encourage immediate investment in clean, alternative energy like wind and solar power:
Michigan must raise the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to at least 30% by 2025 to create the needed incentives for clean, alternative energy industries to locate in Michigan. With one of the strongest and cleanest renewable energy standards in the nation, our state will become a magnet for the development of advanced batteries, wind and solar power. Michigan must send a signal to the rest of the world that Michigan will spearhead the new energy economy while doing our part to reduce the impacts of global warming.  This bill is currently being drafted – no bill number yet.

Make Michigan a leader in building "Green"
Michigan should improve building codes so that new construction is as efficient as possible.  The state should also provide incentives and education to transform Michigan’s construction industry so that buildings become part of the solution to energy conservation and efficiency as well as energy production. A number of bills have been introduced to meet this objective, including HB 4756, which raises our building efficiency standards, and HB 4575 that allows communities to set higher building efficiency standards than the state.

Maximize investments in energy efficiency, saving money and creating thousands of skilled jobs
Michigan must continue to promote innovations in energy efficiency by increasing the energy savings requirements from energy efficiency to at least 2% annually. Energy efficiency is the cheapest energy resource and has the potential to create thousands of good jobs in all corners of the state that can’t be outsourced. Maximizing energy efficiency eliminates investment risks because of its proven effectiveness at capturing baseload power at the lowest possible cost. It also saves money for all ratepayers. This bill is currently being drafted.

Create incentives for sustainable biofuels and advanced battery production
Michigan must enact a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) to reduce the carbon-intensity of transportation fuels, on a life cycle basis, by 10% by 2020. A LCFS will pave the way for Michigan to become a leader in the advanced battery storage industry and sustainable biofuels. Environmental safeguards and sustainability standards for biofuel production must be enacted to ensure protection of air and water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, soil fertility and forest health. This bill is currently being drafted.

Protecting Michigan Residents
Prohibit home foreclosures due to energy bill non-payment
The foreclosure crisis is hitting Michigan harder than other parts of the country.  Michigan must protect homeowners from foreclosures resulting from non-payment of electricity and gas bills.

Prohibit complete electricity shut-offs for vulnerable populations
Michigan must not let vulnerable citizens, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low- or no-income householders, to be exposed to dangerous weather conditions by complete energy shut-off for bill non-payment.

Fully invest in low-income home weatherization projects
Michigan must maximize weatherization of low-income homes to help families slash utility bills and stay comfortable in their homes. Michigan must take full advantage of weatherization funds made available to states by the Federal Government.

Numerous bills have been introduced to meet the above three policy objectives.