(The Center Square) – A coalition of nonpartisan groups urged Michigan lawmakers to subsidize clean energy using taxpayer dollars.
The coalition highlighted priority investments for more affordable energy, clean buildings, transportation and a 100% clean energy standard by 2040.
Michigan Environmental Council’s Carlee Knott, energy and climate policy coordinator, called for weatherization funds to reduce heat and utility costs.
“Weatherization and energy efficiency puts money back into people’s pockets, saving on monthly utility bills,” Knott said in a statement. “With high inflation, this is a golden opportunity to lower costs for families and protect our air, land and water.”
Jane McCurry, executive director for Clean Fuels Michigan, encourages lawmakers to convert government fleets to EVs to reduce transportation emissions.
“With the global shift toward clean and advanced mobility, Michigan must continue to lead in this pivotal moment,” McCurry said in a statement.
Charles Griffith, director of the climate and energy program for the Ecology Center, called on lawmakers to fund an EV rebate program. Michigan wants 2 million EVs on roads by 2030 but is 1.9 million vehicles away. Adding more than 28,000 per month for the next 67 months will achieve the goal.
The recent budget aims to fund $65 million for EV charging infrastructure, $50 million to municipalities and transit authorities to replace medium and heavy-duty fleet vehicles with EVs, and $2 million for Michigan to transition to EVs.
Other funding includes $60 million to the Michigan Department of Transportation for buses, $40 million for railroads, $30 million for the Transportation Alternatives Program, and $8 million for electric bikes.
NRDC Michigan Policy Director, Climate and Energy Derrell Slaughter called for an efficient switch to renewable energy.
“The historic clean energy legislation that passed last year must be matched with investments in the state budget,” Slaughter said in a statement. “The funding will empower the public service commission to efficiently and equitably transition to renewable and other clean energy sources, ensuring all Michiganders fully benefit.”
The budget asks for $100 million for low-income housing weatherization, $30 million to expand energy efficiency, and $6 million to hire 30 full-time employees to the MPSC.
