New clean energy legislation in Michigan has passed and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Backers of the bills say they’ll allow Michigan to meet its energy needs in a more cost-effective and cleaner way by improving renewable energy and energy-efficiency standards. The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council’s Laura Sherman says the legislation is predicted to create more than 160,000 new clean energy jobs for Michiganders, jobs that can’t be exported.
“Farmers and other landowners who wanted a passive source of income – to save their family farms, to harvest solar or wind energy – were being prevented by decisions made at the local level by a minority of voices, and a whole lot of fear-mongering and unfounded concerns.”
Sherman says more renewable energy sources will reduce bills.
Opponents say the legislation strips local government control over solar and wind projects.
The package requires Michigan to get 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2040. Nuclear energy is included in how the legislation defines renewable energy.
