“Project Lights Out” would reverse the state’s progress
toward a clean, affordable, reliable energy 

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding legislation announced today to roll back key provisions of the Clean Energy & Jobs Act, an historic package that is propelling Michigan’s clean energy future and fueling thousands of good-paying jobs.

“At a time when families across Michigan are struggling under the weight of never-ending rate hikes, this House Energy Plan does nothing to fix the problem and instead would give utility company CEOs a free pass to boost their profits by building expensive, polluting methane gas plants that saddle our kids with 30-plus years of debt,” said Alex Kellogg, energy accountability manager for the Michigan LCV. “This ‘Project Lights Out’ package does nothing to hold accountable utility company CEOs for providing cheaper, more reliable energy.  Demand is skyrocketing and yet they want to take off-the-table clean energy options – the cheapest energy sources available and the fastest energy to bring online.”  

Legislation announced today by Reps. Matt Hall, Pauline Wendzel and Steve Frisbie would roll back Michigan’s landmark 2023 Clean Energy and Jobs Act.

“Instead of rolling back the Clean Energy & Jobs Act, lawmakers should be working to hold utility company CEOs accountable for making billions of dollars in profits while they saddle us with the highest energy costs in the Midwest for the longest amount of time out of power in the country. We need a Ratepayer Bill of Rights that protects consumers from rising prices, poor service, unfair outage compensation practices, and excessive utility CEO compensation and perks,” said Kellogg.

The Ratepayer Bill of Rights, which has been introduced with several bills in the House and Senate would:
  

• Guarantee Michiganders fair compensation when the power goes out

• Stop Michigan customers from paying the highest energy costs in the Midwest for some of the worst service delivery in the country.

• Protect consumers from paying for CEO bonuses and private jet flights while being left in the dark.

• Ban political contributions to state lawmakers from DTE and Consumers – the very utilities they’re supposed to be overseeing on our behalf.

• Halt winter power shutoffs to homes with children and seniors.

• Ensure Michigan residents can generate their own reliable energy via solar arrays on their homes or with their neighbors.