Whitmer backs plan to use 100% ‘clean energy’ in Michigan
Nancy Vu
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) is asking lawmakers to pass a 100% clean energy standard, a move that will allow Michigan to join a slew of states that have previously set similar policies for reducing carbon emissions from the power sector.
During a “What’s Next” address to state legislators and leaders, the Democratic governor laid out a number of her legislative wish list items, including a requirement for all energy to be produced from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Whitmer did not provide a timeline for these goals but did use the year “2050” as a benchmark to discuss how this proposal could benefit Michiganders.
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“We can achieve 100% clean energy while creating jobs, lowering costs, and bringing back billions of our federal tax dollars from Washington to Michigan,” Whitmer said.
Along with the clean energy standard, Whitmer is also asking to strengthen energy efficiency programs, along with making reforms to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Suggested changes to the commission included permitting reforms allowing clean energy projects to move through the MPSC and authorizing the commission to incorporate climate and equity factors into their regulatory decisions.
Whitmer has vowed to put her administration’s “MI Healthy Climate Plan” into action since it was unveiled in April last year. The plan has a goal of achieving economy-wide 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 and calls for adopting a renewable energy standard of 50% by 2030. Democratic lawmakers have introduced their own plan, requiring a 60% clean energy standard by 2030 and a target of 100% carbon-free energy by 2035. While Whitmer did not explicitly come out in support of the timeline, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II told the Detroit Free Press that the Whitmer administration supports “the more aggressive standard.”
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Democrats currently control the governor’s mansion along with the state legislature, so movement on a proposal is possible. Democrats in the Michigan House have been working with the governor’s office to allow the approval of large-scale solar energy projects since various local townships have been frequently blocking developments. The obstacles to getting the projects authorized also serve as one of the main hurdles to reaching broader energy goals.
In 2020, Whitmer issued an executive directive that set a goal to achieve “economy-wide” carbon neutrality by 2050.