September 17, 2012

The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) has announced its opposition to the 25 percent renewable energy constitutional mandate on the November ballot. The group also announced that they have joined the Clean Affordable Renewable Energy (CARE) for Michigan Coalition. Great Lakes Energy is a member of MECA.

“Our number one priority is making sure that Michigan citizens and families have reliable, affordable electricity,” said Craig Borr, president and CEO of MECA. “While we support efforts in renewable energy, locking energy policy into our state’s constitution and counting on the wind to blow and the sun to shine is the wrong approach for Michigan’s electric needs and energy future.”

MECA represents 11 non-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which supply power to farms, homes and businesses in 59 counties throughout Michigan. 

“Requiring Michigan to get 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and locking that mandate into our state’s constitution would cost Michigan businesses and families at least $12 billion,” continues Borr. “We know first-hand that the cost will end up on the backs of hardworking customers and their families – it’s a high price tag for unreliable power.” 

The ballot initiative would change the state constitution to require 25 percent of Michigan’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025, no matter how much it costs customers. Experts predict that the proposal would cost Michigan families and businesses at least $12 billion. The proposal would make Michigan the first – and only – state in the nation to include a renewable portfolio standard in its constitution. 

Business, labor, local government organizations, agriculture groups, local elected officials – both Republican and Democratic –  representing millions of Michigan residents have joined the CARE for Michigan Coalition to oppose the reckless renewable energy mandate. The ballot proposal would alter Michigan’s current, successful energy policy, which was approved by an overwhelming vote of the Legislature in 2008 after two years of research, analysis and discussion.

 The CARE (Clean Affordable Renewable Energy) for Michigan Coalition is fighting to ensure reliable, clean, affordable energy for Michigan families and businesses. The diverse coalition includes labor and business, Michigan energy providers, citizen groups and local officials. CARE supports the state’s landmark 2008 energy policy, which requires energy providers to generate 10 percent of Michigan’s electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2015. Michigan utilities are halfway there, thanks to current challenging but realistic goals.  The coalition opposes efforts to alter the state constitution to inject an arbitrary, ill-considered 25 percent renewable energy standard and urges Michigan residents to support the state’s current reasonable and responsible standard.

 More information about the CARE for Michigan Coalition can be found at http://www.CAREforMich.com or at http://www.gtlakes.com/corporate-information/care-for-michigan-coalition/. Follow the Coalition on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/CAREforMich, or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/CAREforMich