Michigan

Sorry for the delay — Brian Allnutt's article went online December 6, 2023 — but it just came to my attention…ah, and the title really should read Michigan citizens want community solar and not use that purposely divisory language.

The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) is pushing for the passage of Senate Bills 152 and 153 and House Bills 4464 and 4465, introduced in the spring [of 2023], which would enable community solar in Michigan. But so far, none of the bills have come up for a vote, although the House Committee on Energy, Communications and Technology heard testimony on the House bills in November.

But they say Michigan utilities are wielding their influence and political spending in Lansing to block legislation enabling community solar owned by third parties, even though the concept enjoys bipartisan support.

There’s little doubt utilities are spending resources to influence legislators. Utility watchdog group Energy and Policy Institute revealed that ~~bribe-givers~~ political action committees (PACs) tied to DTE and Consumers gave nearly $500,000 to campaign accounts for Whitmer, state legislators and state party funds in 2023 while renewable energy legislation was being considered, with 80% of legislators taking ~~bribes~~ money from these PACs.

Deletions mine.

The next time someboday starts with me, "but the Democrats/Republicans/left/right blah blah blah blah," I'm gonna spit in their eye. No one is innocent.