November 2024
Bipartisan Carbon Storage Legislation Introduced
Package to regulate underground carbon sequestration
Three Michigan State Senators have jointly introduced bills to bring regulation of underground carbon capture storage under state authority. Senate Bills 1131-1133, by Senate Energy Committee chairman Sen. Sean McCann and committee members Sen. Joe Bellino and Sen. John Cherry, establishes a range of licensing, safety and oversight mechanisms that will be overseen by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy. In the absence of enacting these bills, regulation of carbon capture wells would default to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Michigan can be on the forefront of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) because of our unique underground geology. We have the capacity to store vast amounts of CO2. CCUS is increasingly viewed as necessary to our energy, economic, and environmental vitality given our clean energy law identifying carbon capture as a means to hit our emissions targets. Furthermore, key manufacturing processes can benefit from CCUS, such as steel and cement, which produce a lot of CO2. Lansing observers say the bills being introduced now are a precursor to serious consideration of the bills in the new year.
Renewable Siting Law Under Challenge
Townships & counties appeal MPSC process
The Michigan Public Service Commission issued an order on October 10, 2024, outlining how it will implement Public Act 233 (PA 233), the 2023 law creating a state-level approval process for permitting large-scale renewable projects. On November 8, over 70 townships and 7 counties filed an appeal of the MPSC order in the Michigan State Court of Appeals, claiming the MPSC overstepped its authority to interpret how PA 233 would be applied. The plaintiffs filed a subsequent motion asking the court to place an injunction on the MPSC proceeding under the act.
The plaintiffs assert that the process the MPSC put in place under its order is tantamount to a formal “rule” and rules must be promulgated under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). The MPSC did not use the APA process because PA 233 expressly said it could choose to implement the law by either an order or a rule. The challenge also claims that the MPSC has interpreted or defined certain terms from the law beyond its authority. The court has not indicated how soon it will rule on the motion to enjoin the law nor laid out a timeline for how the case will proceed with briefings, arguments, and a decision.
It’s Official: Renewables Are Customers’ Best Deal
Utility plans show adding renewables will save money
Under Michigan’s energy laws, regulated utilities are required to submit a Renewable Energy Plan (REP) to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). In the most recent REP’s submitted by our state’s two major electric utilities, Consumers Energy and DTE, the official documentation shows that adding more wind and solar power to their generation portfolios will save customers money in comparison to building additional gas-powered plants.
DTE filed its plan in July stating that investing in renewables will cost $120 million more upfront than adding an equivalent amount gas-powered generation. However, over the 20 years of the plan, renewables will realize $1.2 billion in customer savings compared to gas. That's a 10:1 ROI. The REP filed by Consumers in November also shows hundreds of millions in savings over gas generation costs. Combining improved technology with lower per unit costs and zero-cost "fuel" (wind and sunshine) means renewables have officially "arrived."
Nuclear Energy Education Day '25
March 6, 2025 at the Mackinac Room in the "HOB"
ICYMI in last months newsletter, MICEF is excited to announce a first-of-its-kind educational event for legislators and staff in Lansing on nuclear energy will happen on March 6, 2025. We're planning a series of briefings spread across the day to provide maximum flexibility for legislators and staff to attend whichever sessions fit into their schedule. We'll have two morning briefings, a lunch presentation, and a late-afternoon briefing with a networking event.
We have numerous commitments from industry players, utilities and stakeholders to participate in the day, including: DTE, American Electric Power (AEP), Holtec, the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA), Nuclear Energy Institute, University of Michigan Nuclear Science, and private sector stakeholders. It's shaping up to be a robust day and one that you're not going to want to miss!
Michigan Sends Two New Pro-solar Leaders to the U.S. House
Barrett & McDonald Rivet sponsored state solar laws
Michigan had two of the most nationally-watched and expensive races for open seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Former State Senator Tom Barrett (R-Potterville) and current State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) won in these competitive districts. Interestingly, both sponsored legislation to advance solar energy in Michigan during their tenures in the Michigan Senate. Pragmatic energy policy has bipartisan appeal.
Barrett, a past recipient of MICEF’s Clean Energy Champion Award, sponsored legislation to prevent homeowners from getting an increased property tax bill if they install solar at their home, a practice some municipalities had implemented. McDonald Rivet sponsored legislation that preserves farmers’ ability to make some of their land available for solar development while keeping it enrolled in a longstanding farmland preservation program. A key element of the solar component is to ensure that the land can be returned to agricultural use at end of the solar facilities lifecycle.
Michigan Land & Liberty Coalition® Welcomes New Staff
Welcome Aboard Noah Buttitta!
Monday, December 2nd marks the first day for several new Land & Liberty Coalition® staffers, including Michigan's Noah Buttitta. Though originally from Indiana, Noah is joining us from the Mike Rogers U.S. Senate campaign where he served as a Regional Field Director. His past experience working on campaigns will serve him well in his new roll as the MI L&LC Field Representative, where it's imperative to work at the grassroots level, engaging with locals within various communities. This week our MICEF and MI L&LC teams will convene to welcome Noah aboard and catch him up to speed on everything renewable energy and P.A. 233 related (the new state siting law).