Michigan is on the verge of implementing one of the nation's most ambitious clean energy mandates, aiming to be carbon-free by 2040 in what is a key test of Democrats' environmental goals in a state with a long manufacturing heritage.
Michigan will join four other states in requiring utilities to transition to 100 percent carbon-free power generation by 2040, under legislation soon to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. from renewable sources by 2030, a significant jump from the current 12%.
The state-level mandates support the Biden administration's goals of a pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and a net zero emissions economy by 2050 at the latest.
The clean energy package, which was approved by Democrats in the Michigan legislature this month, has been praised by environmental groups. Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said she hopes Michigan's plan will serve as a model for other states.
“Michigan is in the heart of the industrial Midwest. What happens here sets the tone for what could happen across this country,” Wozniak said.
Michigan ranked 11th in electricity consumption nationally in 2021, with the majority coming from coal, natural gas and motor gasoline. Of the 12% produced by renewables last year, most came from winds sweeping the Great Lakes.
A resource that is naturally replenished over time and comes from solar, water or wind energy is considered renewable. According to the package, clean energy includes renewable sources along with nuclear power and natural gas. Natural gas can only be used if utilities capture and store carbon emissions.
Achieving the goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 60 percent five years later will require a massive deployment of utility-scale renewable energy in Michigan.
Just over 17,000 acres (6,880 hectares) of land in the state are currently used for wind and solar generation, according to Dan Scripps, chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission. Scripps told lawmakers during a Nov. 7 committee hearing that an additional 209,000 acres (84,579 hectares) of land would be needed for projects to meet the 60 percent renewable energy goal.
To accomplish this, Michigan lawmakers plan to give the state's Public Utilities Commission the power to replace local governments in approving these major projects.
The layout quickly became the most contentious element of the package. A local government coalition, including the Michigan Association of Counties, strongly opposed it, with the Michigan Township Association arguing it stifles input from local officials and residents in communities where these facilities are to operate for decades to come.
The public backlash to the Democrats' ambitious energy plan could have far-reaching implications for the party in 2024. Michigan was a critical element of the Democratic “blue wall” that also includes Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and helped Joe Biden win the 2020 White House.
The clean energy plan only became possible after Michigan Democrats last year swept both houses of the Legislature while holding power in the governor's office to gain full control of state government for the first time in four decades.
The package would also increase energy efficiency requirements and raise the cap on rooftop solar from 1 percent to 10 percent of each utility's five-year average peak load.
Connecticut, New York, Oregon and Minnesota share Michigan's timeline to be carbon-free by 2040, while Rhode Island has set a goal of using 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, according to Clean Energy States Alliance.
Questions remain about how well the mandates will work and whether states will stick to the timelines. Michigan law includes a provision allowing extensions to requirements if “good cause” appears.
