Michigan House Republicans propose energy package, seek to repeal 2023 laws
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LANSING, Mich. — In recent years, lawmakers in Lansing have moved to change Michigan’s energy policy, and State House Republicans are looking to do so again with a new proposal they feel will bring down prices.
They blame politically-driven decisions for rising energy costs through policies such as green energy minimums for utilities, approved in 2023.
“Utilities are forced to recover the full cost of these unrealistic, unobtainable green dream,” Rep. Pauline Wendzel, (R-Watervliet) said. “Every dollar spent meeting these dreams shows up on every family’s electric bill.”
The GOP plan would end those mandates and also repeal requirements that utility companies fund nonprofits, intended to advocate for consumers, but who they accuse of pushing environmental justice initiatives.
“Your utility payment should keep your lights on, not bankrolled organizations you never voted for,” Wendzel said.
Another policy requiring utilities to reduce energy waste by 1% each year would also be repealed.
House Republicans say hundreds of millions have been spent since 2016, rising each year.
“To break even on this program, you would need 30 washing machines at the $25 rebate they offer you, or 70 power strips and a $10 rebate they give you,” Speaker of the House Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said. “That’s just one of the gimmicks they use.”
The Michigan Public Service Commission would also be reformed, with affordability and reliability made the top priorities.
House Republicans say their plan would force utilities to cut rates by $1 billion and freeze rates for two years.
The Michigan Environmental Council, a nonprofit named by House Republicans as a group pushing environmental justice, is skeptical.
“This plan would undercut our ability to invest in affordable clean energy,” Carlee Knott, energy and climate policy manager at the council, said. “It would weaken our oversight over these utilities and it would shift more of these risks and costs onto our Michigan families at a time when demand for energy is rising.”
The council maintains it fights for ratepayers by intervening in rate cases and advocating for green energy, which they say is cheaper.
“The Republicans are pushing a false narrative,” Knott said. “The power behind wind and solar, you know, is free. It doesn’t depend on the market like with natural gas.”
House Democrats stand by the reforms they spearheaded in 2023 and assert House Republicans are politicizing the issue in the interest of fossil fuel donors.
“Because of this international conflict or war that our president has started, the price is oil has been skyrocketing and it makes clean energy sources look like even more of a better option than they were,” Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), the Michigan House Democratic Leader, said.
Democrats don’t see this plan becoming law, noting energy policy is complex, but say they are willing to work with Republicans on “meaningful,” small steps after careful deliberations.
