Energy legislation topic of town hall Friday in Frenchtown
FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP — State Rep. Jamie Thompson, R-Brownstown Township, will host an energy town hall meeting at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at Frenchtown Township Hall, 2744 Vivian Road. Residents can share their thoughts. Thompson will give updates on legislation and initiatives that will impact the region.
Attending as guests will be state Sen. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe; state Reps. Joseph Aragona of Clinton Township and Matthew Bierlein of Vassar; representatives from DTE Energy and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce; and local business leaders.
“The governor made it clear in her agenda earlier this year that she wants to shift the state to only allow carbon-free energy on an accelerated timeline,” Thompson said in a news release. “But she wasn’t very clear on how that is going to work and what it’s going to mean for people trying to pay their monthly bills. It’s important to keep people informed. This discussion will allow us to explore the energy issue, break down what a dramatic shift like this would entail and address people’s concerns and priorities. I invite anyone who is interested to attend.”
Thompson's office said said new energy laws are in the Legislature now.
"Proposals in the Legislature would mandate a ‘carbon-free’ standard in Michigan by 2035. The move would close some existing power plants, increase electric prices for families and create legitimate questions about grid reliability," Thompson's office said.
“I look back on severe storms across our area this summer that knocked out power for days for some people,” Thompson said. “We already have grid issues that cost people money while upending both their lives and livelihoods, so it’s no surprise that many people have questions about potentially having to rely on less reliable forms of energy in the near future. It’s important to look at what changing our laws would do for energy availability and people’s budgets. These are critical factors.”
Additional bills under consideration would give the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to site large solar and wind projects to handle a push for green energy.
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"The legislation would serve as a workaround to local input and diminish the roles of local elected officials," Thompson's office said. "The proposed plans, House Bills 5120-23, have been a focus at local meetings and hearings across the state over the last few weeks due to their efforts to centralize critical energy decisions."
To learn more about Friday's event, contact Thompson’s office at 517-373-1772 or JamieThompson@house.mi.gov.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Energy legislation topic of town hall Oct. 20 in Frenchtown
