LANSING – Governor Rick Snyder is hoping to see as much as 40 percent of the state?s power from renewable sources and use reduction over the next 10 years under the energy plan he unveiled Friday.
By 2025, the state needs to adopt energy efficiency practices to reduce use by 15 percent from what it would be under current practices, Snyder said in his message.
That improved efficiency plus renewable power should replace at least 30 percent of the power the state produces, Snyder said, noting the state is in the top 10 states for electric production from coal. That goal is also tied to reducing mercury and other pollutant emissions.
But he also urges more exploration of natural gas, noting the state?s track record for hydraulic fracturing in exploring for that and oil.
The overall goal of the plan, Snyder said, is to reduce energy costs in the state. He noted Michiganders use 38 percent more power than the national average and pay 6 percent more for it.
?Decisions we make in the coming years will keep energy more affordable and available through a variety of sources while we continue being good stewards of our lakes, air and land,? Snyder said in a prepared statement. ?We also must ensure that Michigan ? not Washington, D.C. ? will determine how we move forward, transitioning from the sources of yesterday to newer, cleaner methods.?
Among the routes to reducing energy use and increasing reliability is expanding use of smart meters, he said. Conservatives have pushed back on utility adoption of those for a variety of reasons, including concerns over privacy invasion and the possible health effects of the transmitters.
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