Advocacy News – Nov. 26, 2024
What’s new: Today, the Michigan Chamber spoke at a media roundtable event, alongside other stakeholders and members of the newly announced Michigan SUCCESS coalition, to advocate for bipartsian legislation that would create a carbon capture program in Michigan.
- Senate Bills 1131-1133, sponsored by Senators McCann, Bellino and Cherry, would create a permitting a regulatory structure for carbon capture facilities under the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
- The bills would also create fee structures and other components of the program, like a legacy fund to ensure resources are available for future monitoring of carbon sequestration wells after a project reaches its end of life.
- Experts from the Michigan Geologic Survey of Western Michigan University, U of M’s Global CO2 Initiative, as well as representatives from The Nature Conservancy and Michigan Laborers, also spoke in support of the bills.
Why it matters: Carbon capture is the only existing technology available to remove emissions from industrial and energy production processes at scale. These hard to abate industries need access to a diverse array of options in order to remain competitive under increasing pressures to de-carbonize.
What we’re saying: The Michigan Chamber is calling on the Legislature to take up the bills for consideration this year. This program is critical to allowing Michigan businesses to make investments in carbon capture utilization and storage.
- Lawmakers have voiced interest in continuing the discussion and the bills are likely to see a hearing in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee as soon as next week.
Go deeper: Read the news release or catch our latest MI Business Matters podcast episode providing an overview and outlook on this issue.
For more information, contact Mike Alaimo.