Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs – a coalition of Michigan businesses, agricultural groups, healthcare professionals and labor organizations – is pushing for a ballot proposal that raises the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 25% by 2025.
‘This proposal will create thousands of new Michigan jobs that can't be outsourced, attract $10 billion in new investments and rebuild Michigan's economy,’ says Jeff Metts, CEO of Astraeus Wind, a manufacturing company based in Eaton Rapids. ‘A higher renewable energy standard will spur innovation and open the doors of opportunity for Michigan entrepreneurs.’
The coalition is seeking to add a new Section 55 to Article IV of the Michigan Constitution. In addition to requiring utilities to use 25% renewable energy by 2025, the proposal requires that electrical rates not increase by more than 1% in any year.
The legislature would also be required to ‘promote and encourage the employment of Michigan residents and the use of equipment manufactured in Michigan in the production and distribution of electricity derived from clean renewable electric energy sources,’ the group explains on its website.
