LANSING – State Representatives Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and Kate Ebli (D-Monroe), both members of the House Energy and Technology Committee, voted today in favor of a comprehensive bipartisan energy plan that will create thousands of good-paying jobs, encourage utilities to increase their energy efficiency, save Michigan residents money and make our state a leader in the rapidly growing renewable energy industry.
"The surest way to keep electricity affordable for Michigan consumers is to boost our energy efficiency," said Angerer, a lead sponsor of the plan. "This is a tremendous achievement for our state. By offering incentives for consumers to participate in utility-sponsored energy efficiency plans, we are securing our energy future and moving toward energy independence."
Angerer's plan requires utilities to establish programs that help residents and businesses use electricity more efficiently, which will save consumers billions of dollars by reducing their usage.
Other parts of the comprehensive plan:
- Requires Michigan to increase the amount of electricity generated from clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar to 10 percent by 2015. Doing so will make Michigan competitive with nearly 30 other states that already have such a standard.
- Fixes outdated rules to clear the way for construction of power plants needed to meet rising demands for electricity so that businesses will locate and expand in Michigan.
- Includes an income tax credit for working families and seniors to help with energy costs and tax credits for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances.
"Not only will this plan allow consumers to save their hard-earned money, it will also give our state the chance to attract key players in the renewable energy industry and create thousands of jobs for our workers," Ebli said. "We already have the highly-skilled workers, technological know-how and world class universities to become a leader in the renewable energy industry. This plan will use those resources to create thousands of jobs in our communities that can't be outsourced, help us reform our economy and move Michigan forward."