LANSING – In a bold move designed to increase Michigan's energy independence and jumpstart its flagging economy, State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) today introduced a plan that would allow homeowners, farmers and businesses to sell their renewable energy for a profit.
"The renewable energy industry has the potential to create thousands of good-paying jobs and stimulate our economy," Gonzales said. "This plan is a key step toward a Michigan that is at the forefront of renewable energy policy in the United States. We can't afford to lose these job and investment opportunities to other states."
The Michigan Renewable Energy Sources Act will require electric utilities to connect to and pay for power generated by alternative sources, such as hydro, wind and solar. The plan will allow homeowners, farmers and businesses to sell their renewable energy for a profit by allowing them to feed their electricity into the power grid. The bill also proposes wind tariffs differentiated by wind resource intensity. These differentiated tariffs limit excessive profit from commercial wind farms at windy sites, while allowing profitable development in less windy areas.
The Michigan Renewable Energy Sources Act is patterned after a similar plan in Germany. Germany has created nearly 250,000 new jobs in its booming renewable energy industry since the plan was enacted
"This is a great opportunity for new business investment and job growth in renewable energy at the local, state and national level," Gonzales said. "With this plan, Michigan will be a leader in clean, alternative energy by expanding our green energy market and growing our economy."