(MPRN-Lansing) The Legislature is embarking on a big re-write of Michigan’s energy strategy. A state House committee opened hearings on the subject Wednesday. And a lot of the discussion focused on renewable energy.
Republican state Representative Aric Nesbitt of Lawton chairs the House Energy Policy Committee. He says the new policy should not boost the current renewable energy mandate of 10 percent, a benchmark utilities are close to hitting. He says increasing that would just make power more expensive.
“What makes the most cost-effective sense in the long-term to ensure that job creators, rate payers, and families in Michigan have a affordable, reliable energy for the long-term needs of our state,”
he said. But Nesbitt says he wants to relax the standards so more options – like trash-to-energy – can count toward the standard. He says EPA regulations are already pushing in the direction of “greener” energy.
“You’re going to have more renewables,” he said, “but let’s do it in the most cost-effective, cleanest way as opposed to certain special interests saying: We want our kind of technology.”
Environmental groups have been pushing for more no-emissions sources like solar and wind power. Governor Rick Snyder is set to deliver his energy recommendations in a special message on Friday.
