Repeal of the 2023 Clean Energy and Jobs Act

HB 5710 and 5711 would repeal key provisions of the 2023 Clean Energy and Jobs Act, which established Michigan’s goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2040 and emphasized reliability and affordability for ratepayers. Repealing clean energy targets will only make matters worse, as research shows it could instead lead to $5.6 billion in higher electricity costs statewide between 2026 and 2050. Renewable energy projects are widely recognized as the cheapest and fastest to deploy, and delaying their buildout risks locking in higher-cost energy investments for decades. Beyond energy bills, these changes would increase further long-term public health costs for Michigan families by prolonging reliance on fossil fuels.

The cheapest energy is the energy that is never used. Analysis around energy waste reduction investments in 2024 alone projected roughly $1.4 billion in savings for Michigan families. These bills would significantly minimize the Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) program, which requires utilities to help customers use less energy and therefore save money.

These bills also eliminate funding for the Utility Consumer Participation Board (UCPB). This funding goes towards nonprofit organizations that advocate for ratepayers by participating in rate cases. Both the EWR and UCPB programs have a track record of delivering millions of dollars in savings for ratepayers.

These bills would allow utilities to decrease Michigan’s rooftop solar cap from 10% down to 1% of the utility’s total power generation. This reduces the ability for customers to install their own energy sources, including rooftop solar, while decreasing the amount of power capacity the customer can install from 110% of their previous year’s energy use down to 100%. Weakening requirements around connecting distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, creates additional barriers for Michiganders who want to invest in their homes, lower their bills, and contribute to a more resilient energy system.