LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan officials are seeking public input with plans that anticipate reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state by at least 50% by 2030. 

“The MI Healthy Climate Plan launched in 2022 with the benefit of over a year of productive input from hundreds of Michiganders,” said Cory Connolly, Michigan Climate and Energy advisor in the OCE. “It’s fitting that residents continue to engage with its implementation throughout the state.”

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Beginning on Nov. 29, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will be hosting its first session for the public to share their input regarding the implementation of MI Healthy Climate Plan. 

“The in-person engagements across Michigan are intended to identify local needs and provide localized context for Michigan climate action,” according to EGLE, “EGLE will facilitate engagement at each session with participation from local governments, community organizations, and more. EGLE seeks to prioritize key strategies in the MHCP with greatest near-term greenhouse gas reduction measures.”

The MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) will help Michigan as it seeks federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program.  So far, Michigan has received $3 million planning grant that the Office of Climate and Energy will use to refine and implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan which has several broad objectives according to the MHCP including “Tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families; accelerate work to address environmental injustices and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods; and, deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.”

The first session at the end of November will be held at the Zero Net Energy Center in Detroit, from 6 – 8 p.m. and has recommended registration, with the goal of helping to identify actions to “reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50-52% from 2005 baselines by 2030 in an equitable manner.”

A full list of the in-person and online sessions can be found below:

Two weeks ago the Michigan legislature passed a series of bills that would also provide assistance to help facilitate the transition to 100% renewable energy, but also removed public input.  Governor Gretchen Whitmer was one of the supporters of the bills. 

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“With passage of these game-changing bills, Michigan will become a national leader on clean energy,” said Gov. Whitmer in a statement. “These bills will help us make more clean, reliable energy right here in Michigan, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering utility costs for every Michigander by an average of $145 a year. Getting this done will also reduce our reliance on foreign fuel sources, while protecting our air, water, and public health. I am grateful for the commonsense amendments that ensure local communities can work with utilities on developing clean energy sites.” 

Part of the bills passed removed local government authority and voices for projects related to clean energy, passing the authority to Michigan Public Service Commission – raising concerns from some Michiganders. 

Others have voiced concerns about the amount of government control that was increased after the bills were passed, further minimizing the voices of residents near projects pertaining to clean energy. 

“Our opposition – and that of many similar voices – is not directed at renewable energy. But we wholly oppose this legislation, which is written for developers, and with total disregard for local authority, local units of governments, and residents across the state,” MTA President Pauline Bennett said in a statement.

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