I was recently mugged by this commercial against Proposal 3, a/k/a the “Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs” proposal. There’s a spinning wind turbine, a doomy voice, and a meter rocketing from zero to $12 billion in 30 seconds flat-all to scare anyone who uses electricity. Turns out it was paid for by a group called CAREforMichigan. What does CARE stand for? Why, Clean Affordable Renewable Energy, of course. Really?
Little Effect on Power Prices in States with Big Renewables Goals
Three states with renewable energy standards similar to those in Michigan’s Proposal 3-Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado-are seeing little or no rise in electricity prices, undermining claims that the ballot measure will sharply increase energy costs.
Plugged In: Prop. 3 and the True Meaning of ‘Skyrocket’
Still mulling over whether Proposal 3, the renewable energy standard ballot initiative, will skyrocket your electric bill as utility ads claim? Well, here’s a true story: Consumers wants to raise residential electric rates by an average of more than $11 per month, and it has nothing to do with renewables. And, in the year ending in July, DTE Energy raised residential rates by an average of 11 percent-largely due to the rising cost of coal. Now, that’s skyrocketing!
Norway Firm’s Local Factory Highlights Prop. 3’s Potential
If Michigan voters approve Proposal 3 on the November ballot, Norway’s Dokka and several hundred other firms in the state’s renewables manufacturing sector will have good reason to expand their operations. Prop. 3 would more than double Michigan’s current renewable energy mandate, matching it with several of the state’s Midwestern manufacturing competitors, and quickly boosting the local market for turbine and solar panel parts.
Wyandotte’s utility ready to roar past Prop. 3’s renewables goal
If current negotiations work out, the Wyandotte Municipal Services utility soon will be getting a startling 30 percent of its power from renewable sources-five percentage points more and 13 years earlier than what Michigan utilities will have to achieve if Michigan voters approve Proposal 3 in November.
Will Voters Boost Michigan Jobs with More Michigan Energy?
They’ve confirmed the petition signatures and approved the ballot language. Now, it’s up to Michigan voters: Should the state boost its mild-mannered renewable energy standard and position itself to become one of the country’s, and the world’s, leading manufacturers of renewable energy technologies?