LANSING - Today Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) voted to pass bipartisan, comprehensive renewable energy legislation that will stimulate economic growth and the creation of “green jobs” while saving ratepayers $4.3 billion in future energy costs. Senate Bill 213, House Bill 5524 and SB 1048 together ensure that Michigan’s energy needs will be met by clean and renewable energy resources while specifically protecting consumers from large rate increases. The House also passed this legislation today and it is expected to be signed into law next week.

“Nothing could be more important right now than helping create jobs and protect consumers, which is just what this compromise does," said Schauer. "Michigan should be a leader in renewable energy innovation and now we'll have tools in place to make it happen."

Michigan has been identified by the United States Department of Energy as one of the top eight states in the nation for potential wind energy production. The Department also recognizes Michigan as one of four states that has the potential to create over 30,000 manufacturing jobs in the wind sector alone.

This package will:

• Create a 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard that will encourage investment in Michigan’s renewable energy sector and create new manufacturing jobs in the wind and solar industries

• Save ratepayers $4.3 billion in avoided costs over the next twenty years by not paying for unnecessary new baseload plants

• Diversify Michigan’s economy as well as its electricity generation portfolio, insulating the state from future fuel crises

• Create energy efficiency standards to reduce energy used, ultimately keeping costs down

• Include a “net metering” law that will allow consumers to sell renewable energy that they produce back to utility companies

• Provide an income tax credit for ratepayers to offset a portion of their investments in renewable energy for Michigan

• Ensure that money will be spent on renewable energy technology only when it is less expensive than new coal plants

• Ensure that money will be spent on energy efficiency measures only when it is shown that such measures will save more money than is being spent.

Renewable energy manufacturers are investing billions of dollars in expanding their capacities every day, and Michigan already has superior tool and die, metal fabrication, and metal working capabilities and a highly-developed manufacturing supplier network. This new legislation opens the door for the state to become a major player in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.

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