Increased energy costs are imminent for Michigan

Our community, state, and nation are incredibly blessed. We’re the most prosperous country in the history of the world, and we have bountiful natural resources that can power our state and nation for generations to come without jeopardizing grid reliability or burdening residents with unaffordable utility bills.

Over the course of this year, I’ve been outspoken about the dangerous energy policies that the Democrat majority is ramming through the legislature and the hubris of politicians who refuse to learn from the mistakes of other states. Unfortunately, these warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

Legislation advancing through the state Legislature would have a drastic negative impact on Michigan family budgets, the ability to heat and cool their homes, and the economic competitiveness of our state.

The final version of this legislation institutes a renewable energy mandate by 2035, and a 100% “clean energy” standard by 2040. Basic economics teaches us that there is a cost to comply with every government mandate. Utility companies would recover those costs by increasing customers’ rates, leaving Michigan residents footing the bill for less reliable energy sources.

These mandates are the first step toward eliminating natural gas, the most affordable, clean, reliable, and domestic source of energy in the United States. This package ignores warnings from federal regulators made in September about the threat of reduced reliability of our grid in the face of rapid decarbonization. Most concerning, the plan ignores the financial struggles of Michigan families, seniors, and small businesses by sticking them with the bill.

Michigan voters passed a proposal to amend our legislative term limits last November, meaning legislators now have more time to become subject-matter experts. We have the time and ability to dive deeply into this policy, evaluate how it will impact our state’s residents and businesses, and craft a responsible path forward. We can and should come together, as the Legislature did in 2008 and 2016, to craft a bipartisan package to achieve these goals. I’m calling on my Democrat colleagues to hit the pause button, reach across the aisle, and put the people of Michigan ahead of the governor’s presidential ambitions. The Legislature is an equal branch of the government, not a vassal of the governor.

The time is now for Michigan residents to raise their voices. These mandates are only a few years off, and once they start impacting our energy costs, it will be too late. I urge citizens to call or email their state legislators and ask them to take the time to thoughtfully consider their constituents and understand the real implications - not the talking points - of this legislation before they vote. If we don’t make our opinions known now, tomorrow will be too late.

If I can ever be of assistance to you, you can reach me via email at PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov or by phone at 517-373-1799. You can also visit my website at www.RepWendzel.com.

Rep. Pauline Wendzel represents Michigan’s 39th House District, which includes portions of Berrien, Van Buren, and Allegan counties. Rep. Wendzel is the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Republican Leader.