Granholm’s Energy Plan needs work
The Michigan Public Service Commission recently released their report based on Governor Granholm’s directive to create a comprehensive 21st Century Energy Plan. Her directive called for a “reliable, safe, clean, and affordable supply of energy for Michigan’s future”. The report calls for ten percent of our electricity to come renewable energy sources by 2015, as well as the creation of a small energy efficiency program that would provide education and incentives for buying more efficient products. Additionally, the plan calls for a new coal-fired power plant that will cost ratepayers around $1.6 billion.
While having ten percent of our electricity come from renewable sources is a start, it will hardly make us an alternative energy leader since 24 other states, including several in the Midwest, already have standards at least that high. Even more alarming is the fact that energy efficiency programs are only funded for one year, and the funding is less than half of the minimum amount that experts have been advocating for.
Because of these weak policies, the report recommends that Michigan will need a new power plant. However, if we properly fund energy efficiency and call for thirteen percent of our electricity to come from renewable sources, then we won’t need a new plant at all. Energy efficiency saves energy at less than half the cost of building a new power plant, yet this is the resource that received the least attention because utility companies want to sell more, not less energy regardless of cost and pollution.