Michigan Political Week in Review: Dec. 7 -13
What happened in the world of Michigan politics last week to warrant a whole new Political Week in Review today? Aside from force of habit, there is still plenty to report from Washington and in regards to elected officials winding down their terms. Be careful, though. With some of the news coming out of D.C., the Michigan roads aren’t the only things to take with caution right now.
Michigan Takes Charge in Washington
This week, the new Republican majority in Congress made selections for the leadership of key committees. Perhaps the most important decision was over the powerful role of Chairman of Energy and Commerce; a seat that Michigan Congressman Fred Upton (R-Holland) will now occupy. Energy and Commerce – which for years was run by yet another Michigan representative, John Dingell (D-Dearborn) – is responsible for a remarkable range of policy areas essential to climate and the environment. Climate change, the national energy portfolio, clean energy manufacturing, and industrial regulations are only the tip of the iceberg. With Upton’s ascension, that iceberg is in danger of melting or crashing into us. You can choose your own metaphor.
In his fight within the Republican caucus for the chairmanship, Upton moved far to the right on a host of issues due to concerns from his colleagues that he was, believe it or not, too liberal. In the course of that battle, he penned an article in which he outlined an energy policy that only notes renewables as an afterthought.
He has also made the handcuffing of the EPA’s Supreme Court-granted authority to regulate greenhouse gasses a priority. In fact, he recommended that the EPA administrator “reserve a parking spot” as he will be dragging her before the committee so frequently. Given the added importance of this authority for the EPA in the wake of the failed climate bill in Congress, Upton’s threat is, at the very least, unnerving. At this point, we must simply hope that much of this braggadocio is simply chest-thumping to appease his newly-minted Tea Party colleagues.
Energy and Commerce is not the only influential committee that will have a hand from the Mitten on the wheel. Dave Camp (R-Midland) will chair Ways and Means, the committee responsible for setting all matters of taxation in the nation. Interestingly, the ranking member (on the other side of the aisle) will be Sandy Levin (D-Royal Oak), another Michigander. As a result, expect quick passage of a tax credit for all purchases of cherries, Better Made potato chips, and Faygo.
Less exciting, however, is the fact that Camp is unlikely to be a strong proponent of conservation issues in his new role. Tax credits for home energy efficiency, smart tax policy to encourage renewable fuel sources beyond oil and inefficient ethanols, and the extension of important clean energy incentives are all items that do not have an optimistic future moving forward.
Green Manufacturing Receives Final Pushes
Speaking of Sandy Levin, he isn’t quite ready to step down from his current chairmanship of Ways and Means. Before this legislative session ends, he is vowing to fight for the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Credit, known to wonks in Washington as the 48C tax credit. At present, it is excluded from the controversial tax compromise between President Obama and Republicans.
The purpose of this important credit is to encourage the production of more efficient and cleaner manufactured products. So far, it has prompted more than $7 billion in new work, with much of that investment going toward electric vehicle-related projects. This credit has been a particular boon for Michigan which has captured more than half the credits and was instrumental in establishing Michigan as a national leader in battery manufacturing. Discouragingly, 48C is not yet included in the Senate’s version of the bill.
Back home, Governor Granholm is also using the last days of her term to push wind technology amidst a larger effort to define how she wishes her legacy to be viewed. She got a boost in that effort with the exciting news of Northern Power Systems locating in Michigan to make 100% domestically-produced wind turbines.
Following a $3 million grant, Northern Power Systems is making a multi-million dollar investment to build an all-Michigan network of suppliers. Best of all, this will bring hundreds of new jobs to the state. This is exactly the kind of project that government should be promoting and businesses should be pursuing: clean, permanent, futuristic jobs for Michiganders.
Coming up…
Look for a couple more key appointments to be made in the Snyder administration this week. Most likely will be appointments to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) – where speculation is centered on the leader of the Michigan Business Leaders, Doug Rothwell – and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
By the way, if you want to be a part of the Snyder inauguration on Jan. 1, don’t expect a lavish affair; his transition team is billing it as a more “casual affair.” And don’t worry if you can’t make it due to excessive celebration the night before since, according to a news release, “residents who are unable to attend the inauguration will have other opportunities to participate in events during a year-long commemoration aimed at celebrating the power of Michigan.”
Until next week,
Ryan Werder, Political Director
