Michigan's new energy law requires regulated utilities to submit long-term strategic plans that focus on reducing carbon emissions. The first such plans from DTE Energy and Consumers Energy show they differ in how aggressively they plan to limit fossil fuels and maximize zero carbon sources of energy like wind and solar.
In 2016, Michigan got an important new tool in the growing effort to limit global heating.
The state's new energy law requires regulated utilities, for the first time, to submit long-term strategic plans that include reducing carbon emissions.
The plans are called Integrated Resource Plans, or IRPs.
Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have now submitted their first IRPs, and the plans show that Michigan's two biggest utilities differ on how aggressively to cut carbon emissions.