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Michigan Senate Passes Comprehensive Energy Legislation. On June 28, 2008 the Michigan Senate passed HB 5524 (21-14) to reform the regulation of the state's electric industry. The bill would, among other things, cap the size of Michigan's Electric Choice Program to 10 percent of a utility's annual load; streamline the MPSC's ratemaking process; and establish a certificate of need process for new power plants. The Senate also passed SB 213 (20-15) which implements a renewable porfolio standard (RPS) and creates a number of energy efficiency tax credits. The Senate version requires all energy providers and suppliers in the state to meet a 7 percent standard by 2015 (the House requires 10 percent by 2015).
Next steps: A conference committee, which would include members of both the MI House and Senate, will need to be convened to hammer out the differences between the two versions of the energy package.
WRITE YOUR MICHIGAN SENATOR TODAY and thank him/her for their leadership in supporting a comprehensive energy plan for Michigan.
If you're already a member, just click on the "Take Action" tab to the left to send an email to your Senator. Coalition members whose Senators supported the energy bills will be able to send an email directly from this web site.
Not yet a member? Fill out the registration form to the right, click "Submit" and then email your Senator.
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The current debate over how best to meet Michigan’s future energy needs has boiled down to:
Build vs. Buy
Building new power plants that will pump money into the state’s economy and create jobs for Michigan makes more sense than buying millions of dollars worth of out-of-state electricity and turning our backs on job-development opportunities that are perfect for Michigan.
But to build, we need new laws.
Right now we have utilities with an uncertain customer base and an economy that has investors turning their backs on Michigan. Big financial houses on Wall Street like Fitch, Standard & Poors, and Lehman Brothers all note the problems with Michigan’s current laws.
The status quo is obviously not working for Michigan — we need a change, and we need it now.
The Michigan Legislature and the Public Service Commission have spent years carefully reviewing, studying and listening to every side of the electricity debate and are now working together to develop comprehensive legislation.
A better, comprehensive plan will ensure all of us — utilities, businesses big and small, out-of-state energy companies, renewable resource suppliers, and residential customers — affordable and reliable energy for the future. Michigan will get new power plants, as well as renewable energy resources, new technology, a cleaner environment and more vigorous regulation to protect consumer interests. No winners, no losers, just good policy that benefits all of us.
The Michigan Jobs and Energy Coalition urges all Michigan businesses and residents to join the coalition — simply fill out the form on the right hand of the page and click submit.
Please help us do what makes sense for Michigan by joining the coalition and sending a message to Lansing that we support a new comprehensive energy plan.