LANSING – Senate Democrats are changing their “Clean Energy Future Plan” to have utilities develop a “100 percent clean energy standard” by 2040 instead of the 2035 deadline that was originally proposed.
“Utilities would have to file clean energy plans in order to achieve a carbon-free energy portfolio of 80 percent starting in 2035, and by 100 percent in 2040,” said Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) at Thursday’s crowded Senate Energy and Environment Committee meeting, where she illustrated how her SB 271 will be modified within the next week.
During Thursday afternoon’s meeting, Geiss and Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) presented updates on SB 271 and SB 273, two major bills in the caucus’ “Clean Energy Future Plan” that aligned with the energy ambitions in the governor’s “What’s Next?” address. However, instead of obligating utility providers to show progress toward shutting down all coal-fired plants by 2030 and achieving a 100 percent clean energy standard by 2035, the substitutes previewed by Singh and Geiss offer some new timelines.
Instead of completely deleting biomass as a source of renewable energy a utility provider could use, SB 271would allow for commercial biomass operations taking place by the legislation’s effective date to be grandfathered in.
Furthermore, utility companies must construct, contract or acquire a total of 2,500 megawatts of energy storage systems by 2030 under what will be the newest version of SB 271. The Michigan Public Service Commission would be responsible for studying and implementing a community solar reach tariff pilot program as well, zooming in on low-income communities and households.
SB 273 initially mandated an electric provider to achieve a yearly energy waste reduction standard of 2 percent in its energy waste reduction plan. Singh said that based on feedback from stakeholders, the new target will be 1.5 percent with an incentive goal of 2 percent.
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