Senate ‘Clean Energy Future’ bill moves to governor’s desk ⋆ Michigan Advance

A slate of bills is set to move from the Senate’s Clean Energy Future Plan to the governor’s desk after further consideration from the House and Senate.

Last week, the House of Representatives The Assembly voted to approve Senate Bills 271, 273, 502 and 277which would set updated clean energy and waste reduction goals, allow farmers to lease their land to solar developers while maintaining farmland conservation standards, and direct the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) — which regulates the state’s energy utilities — to consider factors Such as equity, environmental justice, affordability and public health when considering energy companies’ plans for future operations.

Michigan House approves changes to clean energy sites, renewable energy standards and more

According to a report by Jungwire News Service, members of the House of Representatives mistakenly passed along the wrong version of Senate Bill 273 It quickly approved two packages of renewable energy bills.

The bill was returned to the House from the Senate, so lawmakers could re-vote and send their correct versions to the Senate.

The Senate approved the changes made by the House of Representatives. The bills will now head to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk.

Senate Bill 519, which passed the House on Friday without amendment, will also be sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. The bill would create a new Community and Worker Economic Transition Office aimed at facilitating the transition from fossil fuel jobs to clean energy jobs.

While the Senate added a deduction to Senate Bill 271 Allowing incinerators operating before January 1 as renewable energy sources, the House added restrictions that limit the definition to non-expanding incinerators and require the facility to be decommissioned no later than January 1, 2040.

Whitmer issued a statement cheering the bills’ passage.

“With the passage of these game-changing bills, Michigan will become a national leader in clean energy,” Whitmer said. “These bills will help us provide more clean, reliable energy here in Michigan, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and lowering utility costs for every Michigander by an average of $145 per year. Doing so will also reduce our dependence on foreign fuel sources , while protecting our air, water and public health.