Michigan Legislators Have the Power to Protect Communities from Rising Energy Costs
Community Solar Would Create Affordable Access to Solar Energy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2024
Lansing, MI – Michigan legislators are considering community solar bills SB152 and SB153, that if passed, would provide a cost-effective solution for households, local businesses, schools, and others to go solar even if they rent, have old or shared roofs, or face financial barriers to rooftop solar.
“Michigan legislators have the opportunity to leave a transformative legacy that will resonate with communities and leave a positive ongoing impact,” said Vote Solar’s Midwest Regional Director, Patty O’Keefe. “With rising energy costs and power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents, now is the time for state-level lawmakers to take action and ensure a clean, reliable and affordable energy future, that puts people first.”
Community solar programs would empower residents to actively participate in the energy transition by allowing them to join a shared solar facility in their community. Along with providing access to solar power, the proposed bills would include income-based payment plans and offer compensation for outages, ensuring all Michiganders, especially the most vulnerable, can experience the benefits of clean energy.
“Michigan families should not have to worry about spending as much as a fourth of their income on utilities,” said O’Keefe. “These bills give residents the chance to take control of their energy future, ensuring that clean energy benefits flow to the people—not just the utilities. Community solar will help lower energy costs for families while ensuring Michigan’s future belongs to its communities, and this legislation is a crucial step toward making that a reality.”
The community solar bills are part of multiple pieces of legislation that would enhance local solar solutions including virtual power plants and solar and storage rebates, ultimately securing a reliable and affordable clean energy future for Michigan. These bills include HB 4464, SB 152, HB 4465, SB 153, HB 4839, SB 773, and HB 4840, and would address Michigan’s current energy challenges, ensure affordable clean energy, reduce energy costs and protect the community from rising utility bills.
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is an energy justice non-profit working towards a 100% clean energy future by bringing solar to the mainstream. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advocates for clean energy in legislative and regulatory arenas at the state level, where most decisions about electricity are made. Despite powerful opposition, we use a winning combination of deep policy expertise, coalition building, and public engagement to get the job done.