Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on December 6, 2007, to mandate that Michigan electric utilities acquire 4 percent of their power from "renewable" sources by the end of 2012, and 10 percent by the end of 2015. The mandate would be reduced to the extent it increased residential rates by more than $3 per month, and on commercial customers from $15.83 to $187.50 per month. Utilities could meet the mandate by producing or purchasing renewable energy, or purchasing "credits" from a firm that exceeded the mandate. The provisions creating this regime are divided between this and House Bill 5549

The vote was 86 in favor, 21 opposed and 3 not voting

(House Roll Call 301 at House Journal 35)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Nitz, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: “Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted against this bill because it mandates that there must be a certain amount of ‘green energy’ produced, and I am against mandating anything. If it is cost effective the market would be providing green energy.”

Rep. Agema, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: “Mr. Speaker and members of the House: A government mandate will again raise the rates because they are not attainable with existing technology. Since the monopoly is now set, they will raise your rates to obtain them to pay the cost of the percentages demanded at a time when consumers can least afford increases. Again, competition should dictate this not government mandates.”