LANSING – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) joined the Michigan House today in passing a comprehensive, long-term energy plan that will create thousands of jobs now for Michigan workers, keep electricity affordable for consumers and businesses, and ensure that our state has the safe, reliable power supply necessary to achieve major economic growth.
"This energy plan from across both sides of the aisle meets our most urgent needs, including creating good-paying jobs for our workers now," Valentine said. "We, in west Michigan, have the potential to become a leader in the emerging renewable energy industry, and this plan will help us harness that potential. We must act now to put this plan in motion."
If Michigan fails to act now, the state will be forced to buy electricity from other states to meet rising demand, which will result in much higher costs for consumers and businesses. That will also create jobs for workers in other states, rather than Michigan. Enacting the House energy plan gives Michigan control of its economic future and protects the stable flow of affordable electricity. Doing nothing, on the other hand, would cost Michigan consumers $4.36 billion more over the next 20 years, according to the 21st Century Energy Plan from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The House energy plan, which now goes to the Senate, will:
- Add Michigan to the more than two dozen states with a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which will attract thousands of "green-collar" jobs. Michigan's RPS will require that 10 percent of our electricity come from clean, renewable sources – such as wind, solar or hydrogen – by 2015. Providing a reliable market for investors is key to bringing home the economic benefits of the globally expanding renewable energy industry.
- Require utilities to provide energy efficiency programs for customers. Increasing energy efficiency is the best way to help keep electricity affordable for everyone, and will create thousands of jobs for workers employed at businesses that sell and install energy efficiency products or run energy efficiency programs.
- Streamline red tape to clear the way for construction of power plants that Michigan needs to meet rising demand for electricity. Companies currently won't build a power plant because Michigan's mixed-regulatory structure makes it too risky. The House plan ends this uncertainty, ensuring a stable flow of affordable electricity for residents and businesses while creating thousands of jobs for our workers who will build a power plant and operate it.
At least one new power plant must be built in Michigan by 2015 to meet rising demand for electricity, according to figures used in the Michigan Public Service Commission's 21st Century Electric Energy Plan. A new plant has not been built in the state in about two decades; the process takes seven to 10 years.
The bipartisan House energy plan was crafted during months of discussions with consumers, industry experts, utilities and other energy providers, members of the business community, and other groups statewide.
"These energy reforms are important for the future of business and jobs in our community immediately and for years to come," Valentine said. "This plan encourages energy efficiency, as well as ensuring the future availability of safe, reliable and affordable electricity."