State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020

State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

Media Contact:   

Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325, christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org 

Sierra Club applauds Governor Whitmer’s efforts to hold polluters financially accountable for their toxic waste, remove PFAS from our drinking water, appoint an Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and elevate climate concerns across her administration. 

However, Sierra Club was disappointed that the Governor passed on the opportunity during her State of the State to urge action on the many pressing environmental issues plaguing our Great Lakes State. They look forward to working with her on her commitment to elevate climate change and water issues in the coming weeks. The 150,000 Sierra Club members and supporters in Michigan stand ready to partner with the governor and anyone else who prioritizes the health of our communities and protecting the Great Lakes.   

“We are pleased that the Governor has taken some concrete steps to restore Great Lakes protections,” said Christy McGillivray, Sierra Club Political and Legislative Director. “Our members--all Michiganders--want a governor who prioritizes the Great Lakes, and we look forward to seeing Gov. Whitmer establish herself as the Great Lakes protector that we know she plans to be.” 

McGillivray said one of the biggest environmental challenges Michigan faces is opposition from Republican leaders in Lansing. “Senator Shirkey and Representative Chatfield are stonewalling efforts to clean up our drinking water,” she said. “The financial backing their caucus receives from polluters stands in the way of any real movement to address chronic impairment of our air, water, and communities. Michiganders deserve better from state government.” 

The Governor’s State of the State address was mostly silent on the Great Lakes and climate change, with Whitmer promising action at some point in the near future. Justin Onwenu, Sierra Club's Environmental Justice Organizer based in Detroit, was hoping to hear more from the Governor’s State of the State on issues of climate justice: 

“The heavy public health burden placed on communities in Detroit, where Michigan’s only oil refinery operates, is one of the most visible impacts on pollution from oil, coal and other fossil fuels that impact vulnerable communities throughout Michigan,” said Onwenu. “It’s time for Governor Whitmer to use her executive authority to decommission Enbridge Line 5. Enbridge is responsible for the worst inland oil spill in our nation’s history, and they consistently shirk responsibility for their terrible safety record. Line 5 is a clear and present danger to environmental justice communities throughout the state, it poses an imminent threat to the Great Lakes and to the workers and communities in northern Michigan and the UP who depend on the Great Lakes for their jobs, their drinking water and their blue economy.” 

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/Michigan.

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*Due to an extremely high volume of email--please text or call me at 808-726-5325 if you have not received a timely response. 

Christy McGillivray Political and Legislative Director Michigan Chapter She/Her Cell: 808-726-5325 https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan Facebook: @SierraClubMichigan Twitter: @MichiganSierra Instagram: @SierraClubMichigan

I&M Rate Case Settlement Marks Blow to Coal and Gains for Clean Energy

January 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

• Hilary Lewis, Communications Director, Vote Solar, hilary@votesolar.org, 202-455-0361
• Paul Dailing, Media Relations Specialist, Environmental Law & Policy Center, pdailing@elpc.org, 312-771-1979
• Jen Bristol, Director of Communications, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), jbristol@seia.org, 202-556-2886
• Mike Berkowitz, Michigan Beyond Coal Campaign Representative, Sierra Club, mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org, 248-345-9808

I&M Rate Case Settlement Marks Blow to Coal and Gains for Clean Energy

Utility’s original plan would have bolstered super polluting Rockport coal plant and “essentially killed” solar market in Michiana

Lansing, MI - The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on Thursday approved an all-party settlement in a rate case for the Indiana Michigan Power Company, which serves more than 129,000 customers in southwestern Michigan and the Michiana area.

I&M, a subsidiary of utility giant AEP, filed its request for a rate increase in June. The Environmental Law & Policy Center, Vote Solar, the Ecology Center, the Sierra Club and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) intervened.

The groups negotiated a settlement that cut the utility’s original annual revenue increase request by $22.1 million dollars, from $58.5 million to $36.4 million, saving money for I&M customers across southwestern Michigan.

The utility’s original plan would have greatly reduced the credit paid to customers who sell electricity from solar panels or wind turbines back to the grid, which would have “essentially killed” the solar market in southwest Michigan, said Environmental Law & Policy Center Staff Attorney Nikhil Vijaykar.

Over three months of negotiations, the environmental groups fought off those changes to the distributed generation tariff. They also successfully countered several of the utilities’ rate design proposals that would have hiked fixed charges on customers’ bills, hurting customers’ ability to implement and benefit from energy efficiency and renewable energy. They also secured a requirement that I&M seek approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission before extending their lease at Rockport coal-burning unit 2, which is one of 22 super polluters in the United States.

“This settlement is a victory on two fronts,” Vijaykar said. “First, we won a reasonable interim rate for distributed generation customers, and kept Michigan moving towards a fair, value-based rate for solar. Second, we kept Indiana Michigan Power’s original regressive rate design proposals out of the picture.”

"Sierra Club applauds the Public Service Commission's approval of this settlement which requires I&M to get permission before extending its money-losing lease with the super polluter Rockport coal-burning plant in Indiana. This decreases the likelihood that I&M will extend its commitment to the massive Rockport unit 2, and instead create an opportunity for Michiganders to demand cleaner and less expensive energy." said Mike Berkowitz, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign Representative for Michigan.

“This is about fair rates and the freedom to choose where your energy comes from. Providing fair value for the local, clean energy hardworking Michigan families and businesses produce is essential to achieving our clean energy goals and ensuring customers can go solar if they so choose,” said Will Kenworthy, Midwest Regulatory Director for Vote Solar.

“We’re grateful that the Michigan Public Service Commission saw the I&M proposal for what it was, a backwards attempt to distort energy prices and lowball the value of solar in Indiana and Michigan.This decision is a win for energy consumers and will help to improve customer choice, grow local solar markets and create jobs that can’t be outsourced,” said Nakhia Morrissette, central region director and counsel at SEIA.

The new rates will go into effect Feb. 1. They will not affect I&M customers in Indiana.

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The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy organization. We develop strategic campaigns to protect natural resources and improve environmental quality across the region. Our multidisciplinary staff employs teamwork approaches using legal, economic, and public policy tools to produce successes that improve our environment and economy. For more information, visit elpc.org.

Vote Solar’s mission is to make solar a mainstream energy resource across the U.S. Since 2002, Vote Solar has been working to lower solar costs and expand solar access. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Vote Solar advocates for state policies and programs needed to repower our electric grid with clean energy. Vote Solar works to remove regulatory barriers and implement key policies needed to bring solar to scale. For more information, visit​VoteSolar.org.

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.

Celebrating its 46th anniversary in 2020, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, which now employs more than 242,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Detroit’s most vulnerable residents face inequalities like toxic air, lead poisoning, and water shutoffs. Now they’re fighting back

The blackest city in the US is facing an environmental justice nightmare

Detroit’s most vulnerable residents face inequalities like toxic air, lead poisoning, and water shutoffs. Now they’re fighting back.

Read more ...

Struggling to breathe in 48217, Michigan’s most toxic ZIP code

This is the first in a series of stories exploring environmental racism in Michigan.

Carmen Garrison avoids the outdoors because she's certain the air is poisoning her.

As a kid, she often threw up and had a headache after walking to school in southwest Detroit. More than three decades later, her eyes burn, her throat hurts, and her nose runs if she takes even a short stroll down the road.

Read more ...

Michigan Chapter Update - 1.5.20 - Honor Dana Nessel as Sierra Club Environmentalist of the Year, on Jan. 21 in Lansing

Sierra Club Condemns Donald Trumps Statements Regarding Late Congressman Dingell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 20, 2019

Sierra Club Condemns Donald Trumps Statements Regarding Late Congressman Dingell

Media Contacts:   

Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325 

Tim Minotas: 248-961-9610

“The Sierra Club condemns in the strongest possible terms Donald Trump’s statements regarding the late congressman, John Dingell. His statements were dishonorable and unbecoming of the President of the United States. Congressman Dingell was a veteran and proudly served Michiganders in Congress for over-half a century. Congressman Dingell left a remarkable legacy -- our air, land, water, and environmental protections are stronger thanks to him. The Sierra Club’s thoughts are with Congresswoman Dingell during this tough time. - Christy McGillivray, Legislative and Political Director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/Michigan.

Reject DTE's Long-Term Energy Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 19, 2019

Contact: Rachel Perkins, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, (517) 333-1606

Recommendation looms for DTE Energy plan that advocates and the public have called to reject

LANSING - Advocates from across Michigan have been calling on the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE Energy’s long-term energy plan as the the case surrounding the plan comes to a close. On Friday, the judge overseeing the case will share her reading of the case and propose a recommendation to the Michigan Public Service Commission, which will give the final ruling early next year.

To date, more than 3,300 Michigan residents have submitted public comments and over 150 people attended the public hearing in June, the vast majority urging the Commission to reject DTE’s plan. Comments can be viewed on the MPSC website.

In addition, various health, environmental, conservation and clean energy advocates have also worked to raise awareness of the shortcomings of DTE’s plan and mobilized customers to make their voices heard. View the relevant blog posts, op-eds and other resources.

The following are statements from environmental, conservation, consumer and community organizations ahead of the MPSC’s decision:

“DTE gave solar and wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency and demand response a passing nod, then went ahead and submitted a proposal dependent on dirty coal, outdated technology and old ways of thinking,” said Margrethe Kearney, Michigan Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Other utilities have plans that will send Michigan toward a clean energy future. DTE’s plan threatens to send us backward.”

“DTE’s long range energy plan was riddled with flaws and failed to fully embrace the promise of affordable, clean and renewable energy for Michigan’s residents,” said Charlotte Jameson, Program Director for Legislative Affairs and Energy Policy for Michigan Environmental Council. “The Commission should reject DTE’s IRP and ensure the company comes back to the table with a plan that doesn’t undersell energy waste reduction and renewable energy nor unnecessarily extend the life of expensive, polluting coal plants.” 

“In 2019, we experienced two climate disasters, the toxic release from Marathon during the polar vortex and the collapse of a uranium contaminated site due to rising lake levels. Michigan deserves a plan to ensure safe and healthy energy in an age of climate crisis and DTE failed to provide that,” said Michelle Martinez, statewide coordinator for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition. “We need a bold energy plan not only for black and brown communities on the frontlines, but for all people struggling with rising rates and rising waters.”

“DTE’s energy plan will not lower our energy bills, because it does not do enough to boost clean and efficient energy, and it too slowly transitions away from big, expensive fossil fuel plants,” said Nick Occhipinti, government affairs director for Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “With the threat of climate change looming, it’s time for DTE to turn its words into action and commit to clean energy and energy efficiency instead of building new fossil fuel plants. DTE can do better.”

"Air pollution from coal-fired power plants places a disproportionate burden on our most vulnerable citizens: children, seniors and those with serious health conditions,” said Kindra Weid, RN and coalition coordinator of MI Air MI Health. “While DTE plans to reduce some of its coal-powered fleet in the coming years, a significant amount of its energy will continue coming from dirty coal through 2040. We find this unacceptable and encouraged the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE's IRP."

“DTE's long-term energy plan has faced months of input and opposition because it is a chance to redefine Michigan energy,” said Ariana Gonzalez, Senior Energy Policy Analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We cannot waste this opportunity to ensure Michigan's energy future is clean, affordable and reliable.”

“Instead of protecting clean water, clean air and our communities, DTE chooses to invest in their pocketbooks by doubling down on expensive, polluting fossil fuels," said Theresa Landrum, Detroit resident and activist with Sierra Club. “We call on the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE's polluting energy plan. Alternatively, we ask the MPSC to require them to design a plan that protects Michiganders and those living in the most heavily impacted communities by investing in cheaper and cleaner renewable energy sources, efficiency programs, and storage technology.”

“DTE has offered Michigan residents a false choice in its integrated resource plan by portraying clean energy as inherently in conflict with affordability and reliability,” said James Gignac, Lead Midwest Energy Analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “The purpose of the IRP process is to evaluate different alternatives, but DTE sidestepped that to the detriment of its customers, many of whom bear high energy burdens and face costly electricity bills. The Michigan Public Service Commission must ensure the company revises its plan to put cleaner, lower-cost energy sources at the forefront.”

“If DTE is allowed to move forward with this expensive, polluting plan, Michigan will continue to fall behind its neighbors like Minnesota,” said John Delurey, Midwest Director for Vote Solar. “At the end of the day, the costs of our continued dependence on fossil fuels — financial, health and otherwise — fall most heavily on Michigan's disadvantaged and low-income families. That’s not right. The MPSC has a duty to protect everyone from DTE’s reckless proposal.”

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