LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan state senators voted along party lines to pass a series of bills that would prioritize non-natural gas forms of energy for the state in the next few years, raising dependence on wind and solar power.  

The passage of Senate Bills 271, 273, 502, and 519 along party lines was celebrated by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

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 “This clean energy package is a big deal for Michigan families, Michigan workers, and Michigan’s economy,” the Governor said in a statement. “These bills will balance reliability and affordability and help us protect our air and our water and improve public health. They will help us bring home more cutting-edge manufacturing investments so we can make solar panels, wind turbines, and more right here in Michigan, supporting good-paying jobs, high-skill jobs that are a ticket to the middle class. And they will make Michigan a national leader in clean energy, shoring up our position as the best place to start your family, your career, or your business.”

A Senate fiscal analysis shares some of the future effects of SB 271,which will “require an electric provider regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to achieve a renewable energy credit portfolio of a least 155 through 2027, 50% in 2030 through 2034, 60% in 2035 and after.” Additionally, electric providers would need to achieve a “clean energy portfolio” of 80% in 2035 through 2039 and 100% in 2040 and after according to the report. 

Gov. Whitmer also encouraged state Representatives to adopt similar legislation. 

 “I am grateful to the Senate for taking the first step. I look forward to the House taking action on these bills and other legislation that accelerates the deployment of clean energy soon so we can get this done. As I said in my What’s Next Address, let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

The Governor’s office also pointed to a recent poll by Evergreen which demonstrates more than 50% of the voters support legislation to transition the state’s energy grid to 100% clean energy, and more than 70% of voters want the Legislature to do more to keep energy bills affordable. 

House Republican Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) expressed his disapproval for the passage of the bills, anticipating heightened electricity costs to consumers. 

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 “Electricity prices will skyrocket as Michiganders face more blackouts under the radical energy mandates Democrats are ramming through the Legislature — all because they’re pandering to extreme environmental activists. These irresponsible bills will interfere with reliable natural gas power plants and require costly construction of less reliable wind and solar farms. At the same time, they’ll prop up union bosses by mandating union wage rates for energy construction. Democrats are rewarding their out-of-touch allies and sticking the people of Michigan with more expensive, less reliable electricity.”

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) also expressed his dissatisfaction with the voting results. 

“Last night, Lansing Democrats shoved through their ‘Green New Deal’ that will effectively ban natural gas, make your utility bills more expensive, and put the reliability of our electric grid at risk,” Sen. Nesbitt said on social media. “Another blow to struggling Michigan families and small businesses.” 

House versions of the bills have remained in committee amidst mixed support from legislators.