Investing in clean energy is good for Michigan
As a state senator, it is my responsibility to work hard to improve the lives of Michiganders and build a stronger, more vibrant future where everyone can thrive. Environmental justice and addressing the climate crisis are an essential part of that future.
I am very pleased with the progress we have made in encouraging investment in renewable energy that will boost our local economy and community. We must continue in this direction – but there are threats that could thwart our progress.
Clean energy is a path to clean air, good-paying jobs and economic growth in our state – especially now that strong labor standards and clean energy and energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income communities have been enshrined in law. The state also just announced $156 million in federal funding for its Michigan Solar For All (MISFA) program, which is designed to give low-income communities the opportunity to expand forms of cheaper and cleaner energy.
Thanks to President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Solar For All will help support communities like Jefferson-Chalmers in my district and those across the region that continue to face the worst impacts of climate change.
Solar For All goes beyond solar panels on roofs. It takes a “whole house” approach that includes adding solar panels to roofs, replacing old appliances, and better insulating homes. It also stores energy in case of a power outage. The program is expected to reduce utility bills by nearly 20% each year. These improvements will create more resilient communities and improve the quality of life for families.
For too long, fossil fuel power plants have been disproportionately built in low-income communities and communities of color, leading to significantly worse health outcomes and killing thousands of people annually from air pollution. At the same time, these are often the very places where life-threatening power outages occur frequently due to inadequate investment in our grid infrastructure. Now we have a chance to reverse these dangerous patterns.
Through federal investment and strong state policy, we are working to bring clean solar energy to more places, make our grid more reliable, support our state’s workers, and lower energy costs. The clean energy package we passed last year will empower the state to build renewable energy infrastructure in the areas needed to deliver the greatest benefit to our environment and our communities.
While I am truly hopeful about this moment, we must not lose our footing in our fight for climate justice.
The threat to the clean energy future Michiganders want remains, and we must be vigilant. We should keep our new clean energy laws in place and build on this progress toward solar in our neighborhoods, rather than stepping backwards.
Stephanie Chang, Democrat from Detroit, represents Michigan’s 3rd Senate District.
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