DETROIT – The Detroit Regional Chamber urges Michigan residents not to sign a petition to put a constitutionally mandated 25 percent renewable energy standard on the ballot. The proposal would require Michigan energy providers to produce 25 percent of their electricity from sources such as wind and solar – regardless of the cost to Michigan families, businesses, and job creators.
“The Detroit Regional Chamber strongly opposes the proposed 25 percent renewable energy mandate that would use the state constitution as a means to set a new state energy policy,” said Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah.
In 2008, the Michigan Legislature passed a comprehensive energy policy with overwhelming bipartisan support. These landmark bills (Public Acts 286 and 295) were crafted so that each component worked to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electric service for Michigan families and businesses.
Public Act 295, which the Detroit Regional Chamber supported, included a goal for Michigan to generate 10 percent of its electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass by 2015. Any changes to Michigan’s renewable energy standard should wait until the current standard has been fully evaluated in three years.
The Chamber opposes efforts to make changes to this standard via constitutional amendment. Michigan’s Constitution should not be used to make energy policy. It is a document to set the framework for the Legislature to make a policy that is in Michigan’s long-term interest.
For more information, please visit detroitchamber.com.
