Cooperative utilities, municipal utilities, and alternative electric suppliers may choose to voluntarily retire RECs and continue to achieve a 15% Renewable REC Portfolio. Subsequent temperature increases cause climate change and loss of biodiversity around the planet. "And if we're going to call Michigan a leader in clean, reliable energy, we must update our state's electrical grid," Whitmer said. Michigan's Green Energy Policies Threaten Manufacturing Renaissance The funds to pay the upfront costs come from investors. In these kinds of cases, its unlikely that victims will recover much, if any, of their money, the Justice Department official said. Sociology Professor Aaron McCright at Michigan State University, who studies organized climate science denial, also watched the video. Website User Guide I dont blame anybody but myself, because I know better, he said. Subscribers receive credits on their electric bills for their portion of the energy generated by their allotted panels. Renewable Energy Consumer Information Electricity Renewable Energy Michigan's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was increased from 10% in 2015 to 15% in 2021. Ernie Friesen, who will turn 80 in April, said he sank $50,000 into Niyato and $250,000 into another green investment that the government described as a scam with some of the same players. The break in the case came by way of a whistleblower in July 2018, Espinosa said. Solar energy development is rapidly growing in Michigan as technology and price continue to become more accessible. The program, called MI Power Grid, will be a central source for the state to communicate with residents, businesses, utility customers and other stakeholders about how to ramp up their clean energy use, according to a press release from Whitmer's office. They were urged to hurry up and get in on the ground floor for just 50 cents a share of the limited stock supply, then watch its value soar to at least $5 a share after the IPO, according to the 2017 indictment in North Carolina. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. On Jan. 31, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved DTE's request for a permanent rate increase of $184.3 million as well as a 10.1 percent return on equity for investors. There were no electric cars, no lucrative contracts, no patented technology, no facilities and no ability to manufacture vehicles at all. Energy management is the key to reducing the amount of energy you use which can reduce your impact on the environment. Honestly, if its misinformation, Id almost be more concerned. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. One solution, he said, is putting more electric lines underground. General Inquiries: Email this BBB. As owner of All Seasons RV Center, Friesen said he believed his Niyato investment would enable him to open a filling station for customers who bought the companys so-called modified vehicles. Related: Floods, heat waves, crop failures: Michigan must prepare for climate future. The county, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was hurting: Unemployment was mired in the double digits. John Smirnow, general counsel for the Solar Energy Industries Association, said that other than the high-profile DC Solar case, the trade group is not seeing much investor fraud at all within the solar industry. Stencil recently filed a notice of appeal and asked for an appointed lawyer because he is indigent. Duke also is appealing. A federally funded study found that between 2010 and 2015, the majority of the solar systems installed would likely not have occurred in the absence of these programs.. After DTE, Consumers Energy and other large state utilities reached a goal of 10% of energy from renewable sources by 2015, as mandated by the legislature in 2008, state lawmakers in late 2016 . hbbd``b`z $CAQ Hp$4iL@# X Has there been an analysis of the potential costs associated with this mandate, including infrastructure upgrades, grid stability, energy storage requirements, asked Outman. A decade later, the authority executive Walsh said theres no reason to believe the threat is over. If you are looking to make a difference and be part of something greater, apply TODAY! 175 0 obj <>stream In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists assembled by the United Nations, reported that we have committed ourselves to an unavoidable 30 years of warming based on our historical greenhouse gas emissions. This list is updated regularly to bring you the most accurate, up-to-date answers to your questions. The site is a 20-acre park housing a 9.6-acre project. News and information from the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Legitimate companies who are going public through a legitimate process they do not make those types of representations.. For those that cant afford backup generators, batteries, home solar, it will make their lives much more expensive and much more uncertain.. Clean Grid Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3). Energy generation rooted in best available technology and grid stability is whats necessary, not fairies and pixie dust which is what these bills try to codify into law, he said. Oct. 18, 2019, at 12:01 p.m. Michigan's New Clean Energy Program Michigan Gov. Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, said addressing climate change and protecting societys most vulnerable are moral imperatives. Maybe youve seen the ads or received the phone calls or found the brochures attached to your doorknob with a rubber band. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our. Working side-by-side with partners at local, regional, state and federal levels, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) safeguards our state's environment while supporting the economic growth and development crucial for Michigan's future. John Freeman - Executive Director - Great Lakes Renewable Energy Your local Clean Cities coalition, Michigan Clean Cities , can provide you with information about grants and other opportunities. The clean air benefits are certainly there, Phillips said. Advocates hope for big year for renewable energy 97,98 Michigan ranks 17th in the nation in generation capacity and 14th in actual generation from wind energy. Secure grants and other funding opportunities that will allow for shovel-ready projects to come to life. While the U.S. Department of Energy declares America to be in the midst of a clean energy revolution one that is generating hundreds of billions in economic activity fraudsters, too, are cashing in. 96 The state's strongest onshore winds are along its curving Lake Huron coastline. In 2021, DTE Energy had its second-worst summer in its 130-year history in terms of extreme weather and power outages. The Latest: Energy Policy in Michigan 13937 S Sprague Ln Ste 300. State's 'free' solar-energy scam could cost you your home The Clean Energy in Michigan Series provides case studies and fact sheets answering common questions about clean energy projects in Michigan. Fraudsters, too, are cashing in. The government was out a billion dollars in tax revenue.. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. This case study describes an example of a brownfield development a MW solar energy installation located in Cadillac, Michigan, on the site of a manufacturing facility destroyed by fire in 2013. And I personally think that wind and solar create great opportunities for jobs and increased tax base for those communities where those projects are located.. Clean energy, Line 5, electric choice on Michigan's energy - MiBiz Related: Michigans utilities struggle to keep the power on as climate change intensifies. As renewable energy technology changes over time, communities may need to update their zoning ordinance to keep pace. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. So you want to make a news show? We were at our most vulnerable time as a community back then, Murray said. 1. Trade group data show that the number of installed residential systems increased more than 13-fold from 2010 through 2018. Copyright 2023 WILX. We are working hard to leverage existing resources, said Lori Welch, Sustainability Manager for the City of Lansing. You can also access coalition and other agency contact information in the points of contact section. "In the short term, our grid relies on natural gas, which reduces greenhouse gasses but not completely," Clift said. He still works every day at the family business, alongside his son and daughter; his wife of 59 years, Irene, has retired. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Planning and zoning for renewable energy siting is an important step toward creating stronger, more resilient communities. That reliability and resilience is something that we just really have to look towards, particularly in relation to climate change, he said. This fact sheet examines out-of-date ordinances, and presents steps for keeping your ordinance in sync. All rights reserved. And when the technology is available, will it be affordable? I see broadband as kind of essential to climate change mitigation from an energy efficiency standpoint, he said. Of the 1,856 jurisdictions in the state, around half have already given consideration to clean energy (wind energy, solar energy, or electric vehicle infrastructure) in their zoning ordinances, and that number continues to grow. Gretchen Whitmer nonsense and interrupted Pohutsky during her attempts to explain how it was written and the underlying data on which it was based. GLREA is a trade association of businesses that install renewable energy systems, mainly solar and wind. The event highlighted how clean energy investments have helped Michigan, including the installation of solar panels on the community centers roof. Theyre just passing along what theyve been told to say, Benac said. Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association www.glrea.org John Richter (248) 508-7051 johnrichter1@comcast.net electric bills by an average of 8.7%3 and another 4.7% only a year later.4 Consumers Energy increased residential electric bills by an average 11.9% last December (2020).5 These increases are far above the annual inflation rate of only 1.4%.6 How can Michigan ", The Michigan Legislature Website is a free service of the Legislative Service Bureau in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, and the Library of Michigan. Once a year the MPSC issues anannual report. The promise that theres going to be a high rate of return paid out in a short period of time that is the hallmark red flag, the Justice Department official said. Paulette deeply regrets her involvement and has done everything in her power to make amends. Michigan Quick Facts. David Benac, a Western Michigan University assistant professor who studies the history of disinformation about fossil fuels and impacts on the climate, said he watched the House hearing recording. Renewable electricity generation is entered into MIRECS and RECs are created. Both factors came into play in the Niyato Industries case, a scheme from 2012 to 2016 in which Stencil and at least nine others conspired to bilk some 140 investors out of more than $2.7 million, according to federal prosecutors. Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, asked about methane energy generation from landfill gas and encouraged bill sponsors to consider including both methane and biomass power during their planned summer workshops. Learn About Energy - State of Michigan The Michigan Electric and Gas Association (MEGA) is a trade association established in 1984 to provide a collective voice in Michigan government and public affairs for its board member investor-owned electric and gas utilities. Post 2021, investor-owned utilities, will continue to retire renewable energy credits (RECs) to achieve a 15% Renewable REC portfolio. Mortgage lenders arent too happy to see their borrowers take on a new loan they cant afford to install a solar system they think is free. These fact sheets and case studies will answer common questions about renewable energy development and help you understand how communities across Michigan plan for clean energy. ENERGY STANDARDS (460.1021460.1113), PART 3.