MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A legislative task force focusing on energy reliability, resilience and accountability made a stop in Marquette today.
State Representatives Jenn Hill, (D) 109th State House District, and Helena Scott, (D) 7th State House District, were joined by House Speaker Joe Tate, (D) 2nd State House District, earlier today on the campus of Northern Michigan University.
“This listening tour provides a much needed opportunity for consumers to share their experiences, their concerns, and their expectations,” Tate said to the audience.
The stop is the third public forum the task force has held around the state, and the first one in the U.P. Rep. Hill says legislators are hoping to move the state away from propane, oil and gas energy.
“The prices go up and down whether or not there is a war, what the weather is in Texas can impact our prices,” commented Hill.
The goal is to implement sustainable energy such as solar and wind power.
“We know what the price of the sun and the wind is going to be in 2030, 2035, 2040, it’s going to be the same price as today, which is zero,” remarked Hill.
Representative Hill says its important energy is affordable and reliable. Following the recent storms and power outages the state and U.P. She noted how important the issue of having consistent power is to Upper Peninsula residents.
“Making sure that the utilities are investing in the activities that bring about resilience and not just making them money,” commented Hill.
Legislators say the main goal of the forum was to hear directly from the public about energy needs.
“We want to make sure that energy is affordable, reliable, equitable, and we want to make sure that it is green,” said Scott.
The task force will take the feedback they receive back to Lansing and present a package of bills in the fall. They are set to host more community forums next month downstate.
