MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Lake Superior Community Partnership has teamed with Marquette County Ambassadors to urge for public support for long-awaited energy legislation in the Upper Peninsula.
As 13 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators have set out to replace the U.P.’s coal fired power plants, new green energy laws passed in 2023 would essentially shut down this much invested infrastructure. This would potentially cause a major spike in utility costs by upwards of 50-100% by 2040.
Two bills (HB 4007 and HB 4283) have since been drafted to the senate, sponsored by Representatives Karl Bohnak and Dave Prestin, looking to exempt the generators from the 2023 mandates, and allow for their intended usage time.
Recently, the Marquette County Ambassadors and LSCP have created a website with more details. The website also features quick contacts for several Michigan legislators, with options to send a letter of support for these bills. A link can be found here.
“What we’re asking legislators to consider is to give us this exception,” explained LSCP CEO Natalie Chmiko. “Ultimately, if we are not able to pass these bills, it could be devastating to our community as a whole.”
Both HB 4007 and HB 4283 have well passed through the Michigan House of Representatives but remain at a standstill in the Senate.
