LANSING (WKZO-AM) — State lawmakers have probably generated enough energy trying to get energy legislation to the governor over the past two years to light several small communities.
There are huge sums of money at stake and huge committments that will be required of the state’s utlities, which are being forced by new clean-air requirement to shut down a number of their older coal fired plants.
The state senate has approved a revised and long-awaited energy package sponsored by Mike Nofs of Battle Creek, but it contains some controversial elements and the Michigan House has been pushing its own version of the legislation.
Nofs and southwest Michigan Republican John Proos, R-St. Joseph, have been collaborating on the package of legislation and time is running out to resolve the differences before the end of this session.
This latest version restores a mandate for renewable energy, actually increasing it from 10 to 15 percent by 2022. The previous bill would have replaced mandates with goals which Democrats opposed. This change helped win their support for the legislation.
While the senate version has gained wide acceptance, it has still drawn criticism from firms like Steelcase, Pfizer and Amway, and Michigan school districts, including Kalamazoo Public Schools, that have been allowed to buy energy at a discount from brokers.
The utilities say they won’t build new plants if they aren’t guaranteed that portion of the market. The Senate bill doesn’t do away with “electric choice,” but adds provisions, fees and requirements that could effectively strangle it.
Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, who has sponsored the House version, has issued a brief statement saying “I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Nofs, Governor Snyder, and my colleagues in the House to deliver a long-term energy plan that will provide reliable and affordable energy to Michiganders for decades to come.”
No vote on the Senate bill has been scheduled in the House. Nesbitt may feel even more pressure than Nofs and Proos to get something done. He is term-limited and will be leaving the house in less than two months. Nofs and Proos will be back next session.
