LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula “might as well be its own state when it comes to energy production,” according to one Michigan lawmaker. That’s why several Republicans in Lansing are pushing for legislation that would largely exempt the U.P. from the Democratic-controlled 2023 legislative package that touted renewable and clean energy goals.

Michigan’s clean energy goals.

Some lawmakers argue the renewable and clean energy laws are a one-size-fits-all solution out of Lansing that ignore the needs of individual communities. Those laws require electric providers to generate at least 80% of electricity using clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

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In addition, the laws also requires electric providers to hold a renewable energy portfolio of 15% through 2029 and increase it to 50% by 2030 and 60% in 2035. When the laws passed in 2023, the U.P. had just purchased new natural gas facilities online that ratepayers will be using and financing through 2050.

Ignoring the U.P.’s RICE generators.

Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs), who referred to the U.P. as its own state in terms of energy needs, said House Bills 4007 and 4283 would protect 13 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators from looming shutdowns.

“The continued operation of our RICE generators is one of the only things protecting U.P. residents from astronomically high energy bills.” Fairburn said. RICE generators stabilize the Upper Peninsula’s energy grid after the 2019 decommissioning of the Presque Isle and Shiras coal power plants. “Without the RICE generators, the U.P. would be entirely dependent upon out-of-state energy producers – and they don’t charge you less for being dependent upon them for all your energy.”

A burdensome bill.

Representatives Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton) and Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River) also represent northern Michigan and support the legislation. “With the green energy laws passed in the previous legislature soon taking effect, RICE generators will be forced to go offline,” Bohnak said. These shutdowns would happen well before the end of their natural life cycle and drastically raise energy prices for all U.P. residents and businesses.”

Rep. Prestin added that the new energy laws would prove burdensome to U.P. residents. “In addition to normal energy bills, monthly residential charges will increase by as much as $80.” He continued, “Monthly commercial bills will increase by nearly $3,500, and bills for large industrial companies by just over $470,000 per month.”

The plan to save the RICE generators remains in the Energy Committee.