Advocacy News – June 18, 2025
What happened: Last week the Senate Energy and Environment Committee held a hearing on legislation that would create a permitting and regulatory structure for carbon capture and storage facilities in the state.
- The MI Chamber worked diligently in coordination with the MI SUCCESS Coalition to ensure that stakeholders were present to testify in support of these bills. Voices from academia, like Western Michigan’s Geologic Survey, labor and environmental advocacy groups all came together in support of the bills.
One of the major arguments underscored during the testimony is that carbon capture and storage is not new in Michigan. In fact, the state is home to several facilities that have been capturing and storing carbon dioxide deep underground for more than a decade. This proven technology could be an important tool for companies wanting to make new investments in the state without increasing their carbon footprint.
Why it matters: Senate Bills 394, 395 and 396 would create a domestic carbon capture and storage program in Michigan, this would ensure that Michigan communities have more say in how a project comes about and allow for better landowner and environmental protections.
- While you can apply for CCS projects through the EPA today, this legislation would make sure the best interests of residents and communities are made a top priority when a project is proposed.
The bottom line: Michigan has some of the best geology in the country for storing carbon dioxide. Deep underground — about a mile or more below the surface — are three different rock formations with porous bedrock. These formations can permanently store carbon dioxide that has been captured, refined and condensed from power plants or industrial facilities.
- This will help improve localized air quality and could allow a manufacturer to make ‘zero emission’ investments, where a new facility has no or low carbon emissions associated with it.
What’s next: The MI Chamber will continue advocating for the advancement of the legislation in the Senate in the coming weeks, while also actively working to secure a hearing in the House Energy Committee.
- The MI SUCCESS Coalition will continue to call on lawmakers to come together on this bipartisan legislation and vote for its passage before the end of the year.
For questions or more information contact Mike Alaimo.