Responding to Michigan's Energy Crisis: 5 Steps for Michigan's Leaders to Invest in a Smarter Energy Future

Executive Summary

Michigan’s energy future is at a cross roads. Skyrocketing heating bills and oil prices, decreased energy reliability, and the mounting evidence of negative economic, public health and environmental impacts from fossil fuel usage are all putting the spotlight on our increasingly insecure, expensive, wasteful, and polluting energy infrastructure.

We have a choice. Michigan can continue to follow our current energy path where ever-increasing demand leads to ever-increasing reliance on fossil fuels and mounting economic, environmental and health consequences. This leads to a future in which Michigan’s homes and businesses spend more than is needed on energy, Michigan’s energy dollars continue to pour out of our state and into other states and countries, and tremendous economic growth opportunities related to clean energy remain untapped.

Or, we can demand a new, smarter energy future for Michigan. This future conserves energy, uses it efficiently and relies on indigenous renewable resources, thus investing in our state’s economy, saving money and protecting the Great Lakes and our health. PIRGIM (Public Interest Research Group in Michigan) urges Michigan’s elected officials to follow this path.

This white paper offers 5 steps that our elected officials can take right now to put Michigan on a path to an economically prosperous and environmentally sound energy future:

1. Provide incentives and standards for energy-efficient products and services.

2. Reinstate utility energy efficiency programs and Public Benefits Fund.

3. Ensure that new buildings are energy efficient by updating building codes.

4. Establish state government as a leader and driver of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

5. Pass a strong Renewable Energy Standard and remove unfair barriers to renewable energy.

Our current energy system is inefficient and broken. Fortunately, there is a better way for Michigan. With high unemployment and highly inefficient energy usage yet great manufacturing capacity and large renewable energy potential, Michigan is poised to benefit greatly from an energy future focused on renewables, energy efficiency and energy conservation. What is needed now is political leadership to respond to Michigan’s energy crisis and invest in a smart energy future.