Viewpoint: Michigan Legislature must seize moment to address climate and clean energy
The back-to-back storms that left nearly a million of us without power this winter was a sign of things to come as climate change impacts become more evident (along with heat waves and wildfires). Those storms offer a lesson of the impact the climate crisis has on our daily lives. It is imperative for the Michigan Legislature to step up and take decisive action on climate and clean energy legislation.
The effects of climate change are not borne equally by all, with Black communities disproportionately shouldering the burden. Michiganders living in the most socially vulnerable populations are more likely to be exposed to contaminated water and air pollution. It is our moral imperative to address climate justice in Michigan's legislation.
Energy efficiency is a proven way to lower bills for Michiganders and reduce pollution — because the cleanest and most affordable energy of all is the energy we don’t use. The folks who have been stuck with the worst of fossil fuel pollution, most often Black and brown communities, will benefit the most from keeping toxins out of the air in their communities. These communities also stand to gain the most in terms of much-needed employment opportunities from targeted investments in clean energy jobs.
Implementing a Clean Energy Standard would increase and expand our state’s utility energy efficiency standards, requiring them to make cost-effective investments like upgrades to customers’ home insulation. These changes will make Michiganders' homes more energy efficient, ultimately saving money on their electricity and gas bills. By embracing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development. It is crucial to allocate a dedicated portion of the clean energy generated to low-income communities.
To ensure effective implementation and accountability, we must empower the Michigan Public Service Commission to consider critical factors such as climate change, affordability, equity, and community input in its decision-making processes. The MPSC plays a critical, underappreciated role in ensuring that Michiganders have access to a clean, affordable energy system that benefits everyone equitably. It makes crucial decisions that impact our lives daily. Whether it's decisions related to the utility's usage of clean energy over fossil fuels or holding utilities accountable for outages like the ones that occurred back in March, they are entrusted with protecting the interests of the people of Michigan.
Granting the MPSC authority to act on these considerations will enable utilities to take appropriate action and actively promote community participation. This would create a path for more meaningful participation in MPSC proceedings by establishing a process to allow comments made by the public to be factored into decisions on proposed rate increases, future generation needs, and other issues.
Michigan has a proud legacy of innovation and leadership. Let us seize this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for our state. I implore the Michigan legislature to act swiftly and decisively on climate and clean energy legislation. The time for action is now, and together we can make a lasting difference for generations to come.
Derrell Slaughter is the Michigan clean energy advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). He lives in Lansing.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan Legislature must seize moment to address clean energy
