And so the work will continue,” Wozniak said. “Did we accomplish everything that we wanted? No. ![]() Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) - criticized the new clean energy standard for including carveouts for energy sources like natural gas with carbon capture and storage and trash incineration, saying these energy sources would continue to bring disproportionate negative health impacts on low-income communities and communities of color.ĭuring the panel, Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, called the package “historic,” but said there’s still work to be done. Pollinator-friendly wildflowers and other native plants in the East Lansing Community Solar Park provide food and habitats for bees, insects and birds alongside other environmental benefits, J| Kyle Davidson ![]() So we don’t have a ton of time and we know that the opportunity is right in front of us,” Aggarwal said.Īlthough the passage of the Clean Energy Future package was cheered by a number of environmental advocates, some raised concerns about the lack of accountability for energy companies. “We have to get to, at least, cutting emissions in half by 20 is 308 weeks away. “Seeing this degree of progress in a state with large emissions is really going to make an impact on our overall United States capability to meet our climate targets,” she said. With Michigan ranking 10th in the nation for carbon dioxide emissions, these policies have exciting implications for reducing climate impacts, Aggarwal said. “Some of that federal funding would have gotten to Michigan without this package of policies, but what the governor and the Legislature have done in Michigan to increase the amount of federal dollars that will be flowing to the state is really incredible,” Aggarwal said. The CEO of Energy Innovation, Sonia Aggarwal, who previously helped develop the Inflation Reduction Act within the Biden administration, emphasized the federal dollars the Clean Energy Future package will bring to the state. “We can’t lose sight of the fact that now we’ve got to continue to show people what this is going to mean and why their lives and our economy is benefiting from it,” Whitmer said. While this new package and the federal Inflation Reduction Act are supporting economic growth and quality of life in Michigan, part of the work ahead is protecting what has already been done, Whitmer said. We’re setting a new standard for the entire country,” Whitmer said.Īdditionally, these policies will help to bring $7.8 billion in federal investments to Michigan, create thousands of jobs and lower electricity costs by an average of $145 a year, Whitmer said, citing a report from Evergreen Action, 5 Lakes Energy and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. We’re proving that you can pass strong climate policies and create good-paying union jobs and lowering people’s electricity bills. “As I shared at my State of the State two nights ago, Michigan is now a leader on climate action. It also establishes the new Community and Worker Economic Transition Office, aimed at assisting workers in the shift from fossil fuel and clean energy jobs.Īt a panel hosted by Evergreen Action on Friday, Whitmer joined members of Energy Innovation, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights to discuss how these bills will impact Michigan’s environment and the future of its economy. Whitmer signs climate change legislation setting 100% clean energy standard for Michigan by 2040 Whitmer signed the package in November, setting a 100% clean energy standard for 2040, raising the state’s energy waste reduction goals, giving the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) additional criteria to consider while regulating operations for energy companies in the state. ![]() ![]() While the package faced strong opposition from Republicans, the Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate voted to send the bills to the governor’s desk. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan into state law. Last spring, Michigan Senate Democrats introduced the Clean Energy Future plan, aimed at bringing multiple pieces of Gov.
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