By Ken Coleman, Michigan Advance
A coalition of organizations on Tuesday said state and local government officials need to do more to tackle climate change ahead of a state environmental conference in Detroit.
“Taking action on climate change truly is a kitchen table issue,” said Roslyn Ogburn, partnerships coordinator for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “It means lowering costs for families, creating good paying jobs that don’t require a college degree and protecting our health and our future. Michiganders across the state are demanding action on climate change and they are looking to leaders in the Legislature to act.”
The coalition wants the state to build on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, which was developed in 2022 with stakeholders from across the state. Among other priorities, it calls for achieving 100% economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
The coalition called for the following key policy priorities:
- Pass a 100% carbon-free electricity standard by 2035.
- Establish policies that conserve energy because such energy savings will mean less pollution in our air and water and more savings for consumers.
- Empower and require the Michigan Public Service Commission to regulate and hold big utilities accountable for equity, health, affordability and climate impacts.
“The recent back-to-back storms that left nearly a million of us without power calls upon us to seize the moment and act,” said Rafael Mojica, program director for Soulardarity. “Front-line organizations like mine understand we cannot continue a course of incremental progress and half measures here in Michigan. We must sprint toward cleaner air, lower energy costs, jobs in the growing clean energy industry, and clear the way for residents who want to adopt cleaner alternative energy sources, such as solar with storage, in their homes.”
The governor is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on Tuesday at a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy climate change conference at Huntington Place in Detroit.
Whitmer, according to a press release from her office, will announce on Tuesday a federal $3 million Environmental Protection Agency grant to help meet the state’s climate goals by 2030.
“Pollution is driving climate change and making people sick today, which means solutions to addressing climate will reduce deadly diseases and ultimately save lives,” said Lisa Del Buono, founder and current president of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “We commend Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for championing climate solutions because they are health solutions. For the sake of our health and the health of our children today and in the future, we urge the Legislature to act now on these important climate policies.”
Several of MI Healthy Climate Plan stakeholders were present at the press conference.
“The changed political landscape in Lansing is helping propel many key issues and now the Legislature must act on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle the climate crisis,” said Abigail Clark, Midwest campaign manager at Natural Resources Defense Council). “We can reduce dangerous pollution in our air and water, see billions of new job-creating investments, and help all communities stay safe. The Legislature must move quickly to enact and build on the MI Healthy Climate Plan and capitalize on historic federal funding and incentives to transform our energy system.”
Martin Kushler, senior fellow with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said such an effort is also cost effective.
“Michigan has to import nearly all of the coal, oil and natural gas we use from other states and countries, at a total cost of over $18 billion per year. Innovative energy efficiency programs for Michigan homes will put money back into people’s pockets and keep our dollars here in Michigan instead of sending it to other states and countries while at the same time helping to reduce dangerous pollution.”
