The State Board of Canvassers will be meeting next week to review and potentially approve for circulation ballot language that would require Michigan utilities to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The language was filed by the group Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs.
The Michigan Legislature passed a 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement by 2015; however, the pressure has been on since, mostly from environmental interests and Democratic office-holders, to increase the standards. Proponents of the measure, including many organized labor entities, see the measure as a job provider – beyond the environmental impacts.
The proposal would also restrict utilities from increasing electricity rates by more than 1 percent in any one year in an effort to comply with RPS standards.