A year after calling for more research into the state’s energy policies, Governor Rick Snyder is expected to give an address next month on his new energy priorities.
Snyder’s administration recently released a report that said the state is well positioned to increase renewable energy production. It says Michigan is capable of producing up to 30% of its energy using renewables by 2035.
“With that, he’ll make recommendations on what the state potentially should be doing from an energy efficiency standpoint, renewables, and our regulatory structure as well,” said Michigan Energy Office Director Steve Bakkal, who helped write the report.
But Bakkal doesn’t expect the governor to propose any specific legislation during the speech. He says it will more likely outline a framework for producing energy in a way that is safe, reliable, and affordable.
“And then also making sure that any energy policy is adaptable, based on what’s happening from an economic perspective in the state, what the potential prices of fuels and non-renewable sources are over time, and so forth,” Bakkal said.
Right now, Michigan utilities are required to generate 10% of their energy using renewables by 2015. The state’s report says they’re on track to meet that requirement.
