Energy dominated Governor Granholm’s State of the State speech. She stressed both the economic development potential of emerging clean energy industries and the environmental benefits. We agree. The legislature needs to act quickly to pass clean energy legislation. A vote against the renewable energy standard or an energy efficiency program is a vote against creating jobs that embrace a potentially brighter future for Michigan.
Its time to take real steps to diversify our economy. Clean energy provides a promising future and keeps energy dollars in Michigan, not flowing to other states and countries to buy fuel.
SENATE
Passed:
On the floor:
HB 5100 - A bill to include agricultural crops in definition of renewable energy facility for renaissance zones purposes.
HB 4597 - A bill to provide for hunting on Department of Natural Resources controlled land.
SB 427 – A bill to provide a process for utilities to follow before building new facilities or entering into purchase power agreements, and to provide competitive bidding in that process. (Discharged from Committee)
SB 947 - A comprehensive energy bill that would set a renewable energy standard, establish an energy efficiency program and set forth a process for building new energy capacity. (Discharged from Committee)
SB 1000 – A bill to require that the state purchase a certain portion of its energy from renewable facilities – growing from 3% in 2009 to 25% by 2020. (Discharged from Committee)
SB 1040 – A bill to provide an income tax credit of up to $200 for people that enrolled in voluntary renewable energy programs. (Discharged from Committee)
SB 1041 – A bill to require all utilities to offer renewable energy programs. (Discharged from Committee)
SB 385 – A bill to require that utilities provide a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources – starting at 7% by 2009, up to 20% by 2020.
SB 858 – A bill that would adopt the proposed Great Lakes Compact in Michigan.
In appropriations subcommittees:
Appropriations: Environmental Quality, will meet on Tuesday (2/12) at 3:00 p.m. for a hearing on “Operational Memoranda Practices of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program”
Agriculture will meet on Thursday (2/7) at 8:30 a.m. to take up:
HB 4644 – Increase enforcement power for removing obstructions or interferences with drains.
HB 4643 – Clarify liability for certain legal expenses of a drainage district.
HB 4642 - Provide for definition of the term "visibly in existence" in statute.
HB 4688 - Increase the amount a drain commissioner can charge for maintenance and improvement on drains within a drainage district.
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs will meet on Wednesday (2/6) at 1:00 p.m. to take up:
SB 531 - A bill to prohibit the use of tranquilizer shots in hunting.
SB 1037 - A bill to provide for the sale of certain municipal forest prime lands and allow for the relinquishment of reverter
SR 86 - A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to reject legislation that would preempt the authority of the Great Lakes states to curb the release of ballast water.
1078-1083 – Bills to revise procedures to approve annexation petition for cities, villages, and townships. (SB 379-384 as passed the Senate in 2003)
Energy Policy and Public Utilities will meet on Thursday (2/7) at 1:00 p.m. for:
Discussion of the implementation of the new 911 statute.
Presentation by Doug Parks, Vice President of New Market Development, MEDC.
Discussion of alternative energy and renewable portfolio standards by:
- Seth Dunn, General Manager Strategic Marketing GE Energy
- Fred Keller, CEO of Cascade Industries
- Jeff Metts, President of Dowding Industries Inc.
- Nick Fortune, Vice President of Business Development, Environmental Power Corp.
- Mark Hall, Sr. Vice President, Environmental Power Corp.
HOUSE
Passed:
On the floor:
HB 5031 - a bill to designate deer hunting season for certain disabled veterans to correspond with the special youth hunt.
SB 530 – A bill to provide standards for noise emission from snowmobiles.
HB 4052 – This bill would exempt from the Land Division Act property that would remain perpetually in an undeveloped state undeveloped under a conservation easement.
HB 4981 - A bill which requires the state to grant easements for parcels that have no other means to access except for across state lands.
HB 4905 – Allows methane digesters to be used in the process of considered composting dead animals.
HB 4685 – Requires the MDEQ and MDA to prepare a booklet explaining environmental statute requirements that apply to farming operations.
HB 4343 – A bill which would adopt the proposed Great Lakes Compact in Michigan.
HB 4222 – A bill that would provide a formula for the distribution of any trash surcharge fees authorized by the legislature.
HB 4484 – A bill to amend the Solid Waste planning process for counties.
HB 5383 – Allows the establishment of member-regulated electric co-ops reducing the oversight by the Public service commissions over rates and terms of service.
HB 5384 – Allows municipal electric companies to enter into joint ventures with a wide variety of new partners and protect some of the information from disclosure...
HB 5525 – This bill establishes an energy efficiency program in Michigan. Utilities would be required to implement programs that would reduce energy use over time, or contribute to a fund which would be used for the same purpose.
HB 5548/5549 – These bills establish a renewable energy program that requires utilities to provide 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2015.
In committee:
New Economy and Quality of Life will meet on Thursday (2/7) at 9:00 am to take up SB 47 – a bill to create water improvement tax increment financing authorities.
Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources will meet on Tuesday (2/12) at 10:30 am to take up:
SB 338 – A bill to expand the use of gift cards issued by department of natural resources.
HB 5331 – A bill to eliminate participation licenses for bear and bobcat hunting.
HB 5607 – A bill to allow a disabled individual using boat with and electric motor in waterway prohibiting motorized watercraft.
HB 5630 - A bill to clarify the procedure for dissolution of a lake board.
HB 5648 – Provide for on certain municipal forest prime lands to be sold without a reverter clause.
