September 24 – Advocacy News
Governor Whitmer recently signed Executive Order 2020-182 which creates the Council on Climate Solutions and Executive Directive 2020-10 which directs the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to develop the ‘MI Healthy Climate Plan’. Below are links to both documents along with some highlights of the plan.
Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10 both set a number of statewide and multi-sector goals for achieving reduction in the state’s emissions footprint. Some highlights of both include:
-Achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality no later than 2050 and maintain net negative greenhouse gas emissions thereafter. Aim to achieve a 28% reduction below 1999 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.
-The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (“Department”), through its Office of Climate and Energy, must develop and issue a MI Healthy Climate Plan (“Plan”). The Department must submit the Plan by December 31, 2021, and must submit a draft of the Plan by September 1, 2021.
– Evaluate the potential impacts of proposed energy generation resources and alternatives to those resources and evaluate whether the IRPs filed by the utilities are consistent with the emission reduction goals included in the Directive.
-Include considerations of environmental justice and health impacts under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.
-Investigate the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency opportunities when planning or renovating a building owned or operated by the State to ensure that:
- All new buildings and facilities owned and operated by the State, and all major renovations of such buildings and facilities, are carbon neutral by 2040; and
- All existing buildings and facilities owned and operated by the State reduce energy use by 40% by 2040.
-Develop and implement an Energy Transition Impact Project (ETIP). The ETIP must identify the communities that will be impacted by changes to the mix of energy production facilities in Michigan, and minimize those impacts and dislocation, including loss of employment, property tax revenues, and related community services.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of policy debates regarding the establishment of a clean energy future and environment for Michiganders. Many of the goals set forth above will require industry input to ensure proper implementation, as well as requiring legislative approval. The Chamber will remain the leading voice of business in this debate and keep our members informed as we proceed.
If you have any questions please reach out to Mike Alaimo at malaimo@michamber.com.