Broad-Based Michigan Coalition: Clean Up Power

Michigan groups contributed to 1.6 million comments received before the public comment period ended on the Obama administration’s proposed Clean Power Plan, which could mean more wind farms and other “green” energy sources to help reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030. (Photo by Kim Hansen via Flickr)

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A wide array of business owners and health, faith and environmental groups this week voiced their support for the Clean Power Plan in letters to Gov. Rick Snyder and official comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The deadline for official public comments was Dec. 1. Nationally, more than 1.6 million public comments were received before the public comment period ended earlier this week, Forbes said.

The Clean Power Plan, which seeks to limit heat-seeking emissions that experts say are a major contributor to climate change, was proposed by the Obama administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June. Specifically, power companies would be required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

The EPA and business groups differ on the cost of compliance and the return on investments. The government says it will cost between $7 billion and $8 billion to reach the threshold by 2030, with $31 billion in benefits. Industrial groups, say the cost would be dramatically higher – between $4 billion and $366 billion – and the benefits would be considerably lower, according to Forbes.

Because so many businesses and organizations have pledged support for the Clean Power Plan – including more than two dozen in Michigan – the wind has been knocked from the sails of some of the most vocal opponents, such as the National Manufacturers Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“Michigan business owners support pragmatic energy policies like the Clean Power Plan that can develop new technologies, increase business opportunities and create a more stable economy through climate mitigation and adaptation strategies,” Gail Parson, Midwest advocate for Environmental Entrepreneurs, said in a news release.

“We urge Gov. Snyder to develop a strong plan to implement the Clean Power Plan that grows the clean energy economy while reducing pollution and combatting climate change,” Parson said.

Tell Us:

• Do you support the Clean Power Plan? Why or why not?

Addressing climate change will require an all-hands-on-deck approach, from reducing carbon pollution to using more renewable energy and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, advocates of the Clean Power Plan say.

“Unchecked carbon pollution from power plants is fueling climate change, leaving the most vulnerable among us – our children – at higher risk from its dangerous health effects,” said Wibke “Vee” Heymach of Moms Clean Air Force. “The Clean Power Plan is a major step forward in protecting public health, spurring innovation in clean energy technologies that will create jobs, and reducing the extreme weather impacts of climate change on our communities.”

Since the Clean Power Plan was announced in June, more than 300,000 Michiganders have submitted comments in support of the proposal. Business owners and groups signing on in support of the Clean Power Plan include:

• Kellogg Company
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Michigan
• Ecology Center
• Clean Water Fund
• Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
• Michigan Environmental Council
• MI Air MI Health
• Michigan Interfaith Power and Light
• Michigan Land Use Institute
• Michigan League of Conservation Voters
• Michigan State Conference NAACP
• Moms Clean Air Force
• Progress Michigan
• Superior Watershed Partnership
• West Michigan Environmental Action Council
• Guy Bazzani, President/CEO, Bazanni Companies
• Mark Lee, Founder, Better World Builders
• Mike Linsea, Solar Winds Power System
• David Moyar, Principal, MEI Hotels
• John Najar, CFO, Fuel Factor
• Kristin Polacastro, Owner, Modern Commercial Capital, LLC
• Autumn Sands, Sustainability Coordinator, Barfly Ventures
• OgreOgress Productions
• Blue Chip Technologies Group
• Blue Harbor Energy

The level of support for the Clean Power Plan seems to bode well for the proposal, which will likely go through several iterations before final rules are proposed next year.

“With a new Congress to be sworn in next month and with the legal challenges already mounting, the Clean Power Plan will get dirtied over the next several months,” Forbes wrote. “And while it will assuredly get tweaked, the level of business support means that the policy will live on to see other day.”

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