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Customer Choice Coalition Newsletters News and Information State drops ball on energy Granholm Signs New Energy Policy Under the new laws (HB 5524 , PA 286; SB 213 , PA 295; SB 1048 , PA 287), utilities would have to use at least 10 percent renewable power by 2015. They also have to help customers cut at least 5.5 percent of their potential power demand through energy efficiency programs over that same period. And customers would receive tax credits for purchasing certain energy efficient products. But the bills cap customer choice at 10 percent of the load for Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison to give them the demand stability they said they needed to be able to finance new power plants in the state. (full article) Michigan’s energy regulations now law Granholm signs Mich. energy package into law Granholm held two energy bill-signing ceremonies, one in Detroit and one in Eaton Rapids southwest of Lansing. She said the new measures will create new renewable energy jobs. Workers at Dowding Industries in Eaton Rapids looked on from the balcony of a new manufacturing plant as she signed the bills. Dowding President Jeff Metts said the factory is poised to build components for wind turbines once orders come in. He said he's already heard from three companies in the two-and-a-half weeks since lawmakers passed the package. (full article) Gov Beams Energy At Bill Signing During a pair of public signings in Detroit and Eaton Rapids, the Governor focused almost entirely on the job-creating potential of the alternative energy aspect of the broad-sweeping legislation. The new law requires that 10 percent of the state's energy come from renewable sources by 2015, a number that alternative energy experts acknowledge could be reached today with some investment in wind energy. (full article) CCC urges lawmakers to watch carefully impact of new monopoly-driven energy policy on rates, development of renewable power - CCC Press Release “We still believe competition and markets work better than monopolies and government regulators. It is now incumbent on supporters of this policy to prove to Michigan that regulation can work better than competition to hold down rates while increasing energy generation in the state,” said Barry Cargill, executive director of the Customer Choice Coalition. (full press release) Mich. lawmakers sharpen BWL's edge One bit of good news to come out of the passage of this bad deal, though, is for the customers of Lansing's Board of Water & Light. They escape most of the impact of this mistake - another selling point for the Lansing area. Under the state's legislation, residential customers of Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison can expect bills to rise 8 percent to 12 percent. (full article) Wind and sun to help out, in time The requirement that companies bring in 10% of their power from renewable sources by 2015 won't really add much to the state's electric grid for several years. (full article) State's electric rates going up Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has been pushing for expansion of renewable energy for months, will sign the two bills in the long-awaited energy plan "as soon as they reach her desk," spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. The legislation calls for 10 percent of Michigan's electric power to come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power by 2015. Currently, about 3 percent of the state's electricity is generated by these sources. (full article) Energy reforms approved Backers say it will grow jobs and the state will have reliable and cleaner power for years to come, while opponents argue electric bills will increase in a time when residents cannot afford it. Consumers Energy spokesman Jeff Holyfield said an analysis done by the Jackson-based utility shows it will cause residential rates to increase between 8 percent to 10 percent over the next five years. (full article) Lawmakers OK major energy legislation The result: Residential electric bills will go up by 8 percent to 20 percent over five years - but not by as much if the Legislature had done nothing, according to backers who said Michigan now is assured of reliable, cleaner power and not needing to build as many coal-fired plants. House Energy and Technology Chairman Frank Accavitti said the three-bill package will be "a wash" for customers if they take advantage of new energy-efficiency programs. They might get rebates to buy compact fluorescent light bulbs and efficient appliances. (full article) Energy Bills Finally Completed, Head to Governor The conference reports on HB 5524 were approved on votes of 78 to 29 in the House and 25-11 in the Senate, and on SB 213 on a vote of 26 to 10 in the Senate and in the House on a vote of 83 to 24. Also approved was SB 1048 , which grants an income tax credit to consumers who purchase Energy Star rated appliances, the most efficient now on the market. (full article) Granholm will sign bills to raise power rates, increase alternative energy Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has been pushing for expansion of renewable energy for months, will sign the two bills in the long-awaited energy plan "as soon as they reach her desk," spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. The legislation calls for 10 percent of Michigan's electric power to come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power by 2015. Currently, about 3 percent of the state's electricity is generated by these sources. (full article) Energy Passes At Last Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM, who had long championed the package and led a town hall on energy at the Democratic National Convention, was already touting it on her trade mission in Japan. She and Democrats claim it will create 30,000 new jobs, although Senate Majority Leader Mike BISHOP (R-Rochester), who ultimately supported it, was skeptical. (full article) Reaction Mixed To Compromise With the state's competitive energy market now limited to 10 percent of the market, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy will be able to swing a bigger bat, which the alternative energy suppliers say will mean more money coming out of the consumers' pockets. (full article) Michigan lawmakers approve sweeping energy plan The result: Residential electric bills will go up by 8 percent to 20 percent over five years -- but not by as much if the Legislature had done nothing, according to backers who said Michigan now is assured of reliable, cleaner power and not needing to build as many coal-fired plants. House Energy and Technology Chairman Frank Accavitti said the three-bill package will be "a wash" for customers if they take advantage of new energy-efficiency programs. They might get rebates to buy compact fluorescent light bulbs and efficient appliances. Home energy audits could be re-instituted. (full article) Legislators working to finish energy-reform bills Negotiations were continuing Friday and at least one Tuesday conference committee meeting is scheduled, as lawmakers look to put their final seal on legislation that would boost Michigan’s use of renewable energy, limit customers’ ability to choose alternative electricity suppliers, alter utility rate structures and establish a new approval process for power plants and utility rates. The impending finish comes amid urging by DTE Energy Co., CMS Energy Corp., major business associations and others in the Michigan Jobs and Energy Coalition. (full article) State energy bill will hit consumers hard Gov. Jennifer Granholm and House Democrats are asking for an energy bill that, among other things, would mandate 10 percent of the state's electricity come from renewable sources -- wind, water, biofuels, etc. -- by 2015 along with a 5.5 percent requirement for reducing overall energy use. (full article) Vote on Energy May Not Happen This Week There is a chance of an agreement between the House and Senate on legislation to set a renewal portfolio standards, SB 213*, officials said, but it could go into the second or third week of the Legislature's three-week September schedule before a decision is reached on HB 5524*, the legislation that would deal with utility regulation. (full article) House Dems Want Energy . . . So Does GOP And while the chances of a conference committee report on either HB 4524 or SB 0213 are still 50/50, a unique dynamic is developing in the House. Both Democrats and Republicans are crossing their fingers a vote on either bill is taken within the next three weeks. They want the ammunition in the November election. Democrats believe the package is a political plus. Republicans believe the package can be framed as a de facto electric bill increase and use as a political hammer against politically vulnerable Democratic incumbents. (full article) Legislators must let the public in on energy debate Other proposed bills, generally backed by Michigan's two largest utility companies -- DTE Energy and Consumers Power -- call for construction of nuclear and coal-fueled energy plants. These bill are vehemently opposed by environmentalists, who don't like the dependence on the carbon fuels. (full article) Mich. residents may pay extra for green power But when it comes to figuring out who should pay what for new renewable energy requirements, the playing field wouldn't be even. Though residents account for one-third of Detroit Edison's electric sales, they would contribute two-thirds of what Michigan's largest utility could collect from customers for wind and other sources of alternative power under bills that have passed the House and Senate. (full article) 2008 News Archives (January - August)
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