PWIR: A Really, Really Good Week.

Governor Snyder came through big time this week by issuing the first veto of his administration in defense of the Great Lakes. The vetoed bill, HB 4326, would have prevented him from making any rules stricter than the often-weaker minimum standards at the federal level. This veto demonstrates the Governor’s recognition that Michigan, as the Great Lakes State, has a special duty to protect our waters that goes beyond what federal representatives from, say, Kansas or Arizona may think.

In this week's Political Week in Review:

• Governor Snyder issues his first veto! This is a huge victory for the Great Lakes, Michigan's environment, and Michigan LCV members who fought hard to make this possible.

• Consumers Energy pulled the plug on the construction of a new multi-billion dollar coal plant, and will instead invest hundreds of millions to upgrade old plants to meet environmental standards. This decision will save ratepayers money, produce jobs, and improve air quality.

• The Michigan Public Service Commission released its annual report showing that electric and natural gas providers are, very fortunately, exceeding their 2010 energy efficiency goals. In doing so, they are saving consumers three dollars for every dollar spent on the program. 'Tis the season for good deals!

• Sen. Rebekah Warren will join the Ecology Center and the Michigan LCV Education Fund on December 12 to test children’s toys for toxic metals and chemicals. It's free testing to see if your childrens' toys are hazardous. Don't miss it.

The Big First Veto

Two weeks after the legislature passed HB 4326, Governor Snyder cast his first veto and struck it down. The bill, known as the “No Stricter Than Federal bill,” would have hamstrung the Governor’s ability to create Great Lakes rules more protective than those passed by the Feds.  

Governor Synder's veto is all the more impressive when you consider that HB 4326 was a major priority of the Chamber of Commerce and other powerful intersets. Even so, he wasn't the only Republican to oppose it. Republican Representatives Lori, Schmidt, and Forlini also stood strong in the State House. Their votes are a reminder of why Michigan LCV doesn't care what party you are, only how you vote. (Remember that, legislators-who-receive-this-update when you're thinking about November 2012).

With the support of concerned citizens --- like the thousand Michigan LCV members who sent the Governor nearly one thousand letters urging him to veto the bill or thanking him for vetoing it once he did --- Governor Snyder did what was right for the state of Michigan.  He also issued a detailed explanation in conjunction with his Dec. 1 veto in which he reiterated the need for standards that fit “Michigan’s unique profile.” The examples he listed include tougher ballast water regulations which help prevent the spread of invasive species. 

Now, we may not agree with every decision that the Governor makes (and we don't) but this veto proves that he is capable of protecting our state's natural resources and makes us proud to have endorsed him in the 2010 Republican primary. Does anyone really think that his primary election opponents like Hoekstra or Cox or Bouchard would have made this important veto? Show the Governor that you're appreciative, and encourage him to take similarly bold actions in defense of the Great Lakes by sending him a thank-you email.

Seriously. Please send that email. The Legislature is already looking at bills that try to achieve the same ends as the bill he just vetoed, but in sneakier ways. We need the Governor to stand up to these upcoming attacks and he can't do it without your help.

No New Coal In Bay City's Stocking

Governor Snyder was not the only one to make a good decision this week. On Friday, Consumers Energy decided to scrap its plans to build a new $2.3 billion, 830-megawatt coal plant near Bay City. By pulling the plug on the project, they save ratepayers from about $54 million in increased electric rates. Who needs Black Friday. We got Green Friday!

Ultimately, the math behind the decision did the trick. Instead of the billions it would take to build a plant based on a power-generation technique that was last considered innovative in the 1920s, they will invest $450 million to upgrade the existing plant to meet air quality standards. And, yes, that means it  most certainly not up to standard as you're reading this.

With this important decision, Consumers Energy will create jobs needed to update the facility and improve the quality of the air breathed by Bay City area citizens. Anytime we're trading asthma rates for new jobs, it's a good call.

Michigan is Saving Energy (and Money) at a Record Pace

In yet even more good news, the Michigan Public Service Commission issued its annual Energy Optimization report. For those of you who don't get excited about MPSC reports (though I cant' imagine why), it says that electric providers are way ahead of schedle in saving ratepayers money through energy efficiency.

More specifically, energy producers in Michigan are one and a half times more successful than expected in helping customers become energy efficient and lowering their bills. As we enter the colder months, these kinds of improvements become even more necessary and valuable.

So... About that Toy You Bought on Black Friday (or Cyber Monday)...

State Sen. Rebekah Warren will join the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Ecology Center at the Mallets Creek Library Branch in Ann Arbor on Dec. 12 to test toys for toxic metals and chemicals, like lead, mercury, and cadmium. It's free, so let’s make sure that Santa delivers only safe toys beneath the tree this year!

Until next week,

Ryan Werder



This week’s Political Week In Review was researched, compiled, and written with assistance from MLCV Project Associate Drew YoungeDyke.