House Energy Committee advances bills affecting Upper Peninsula generators after extended testimony and amendments

The House Energy Committee considered testimony and votes on two bills, House Bill 4283 and House Bill 4007, which would change how certain Upper Peninsula generation assets are treated under Michigan’s clean and renewable energy standards. Witnesses from environmental and conservation groups opposed the measures, and the committee approved an amendment to HB 4283 before reporting it out; HB 4007 was referred to the Rules Committee after an amendment failed.

Public testimony: Three witnesses spoke against the bills. Nicole Kiway Biber of Clean Water Action said the proposals would “replace one polluting source with another” and called for “reducing our reliance on combustible energy” and increased emphasis on nature‑based solutions. Nick Acapenti of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters argued the bills “look into a projected future that none of us can predict” and said existing processes at the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) — the integrated resource planning and renewable planning processes — are the appropriate forums for long‑term planning. Jane Fitkin of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior said the bills were “premature and unnecessary” and urged the committee to require utilities to demonstrate need through their integrated resource and renewable plans before granting exemptions.

Representative Brixie offered an amendment intended to prevent the bills from establishing a precedent that natural gas is defined as clean energy and instead to exempt specific Upper Peninsula generators for the duration of their operational life. That amendment was discussed and then revised; the committee adopted an amendment associated with Representative Preston by roll call (15 yeas, 0 nays, 1 pass). After adoption of the Preston amendment, Representative Martin moved to report HB 4283 with a recommendation as amended. The committee’s roll-call result was 12 ayes, 1 nay and 3 passes; the clerk recorded that House Bill 4283 was reported with recommendation as amended and a new substitute.

For House Bill 4007, Representative Brixie proposed an amendment to strike language that would classify certain Upper Peninsula natural‑gas‑fired units as clean energy. The amendment failed on a roll call (6 yeas, 10 nays). The committee then voted to report HB 4007 to the Rules Committee; the recorded vote was 12 ayes, 2 nays, 2 passes, and the bill was referred to Rules.

Why it matters: testimony framed the bills as an attempt to create a statutory exemption for reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) and similar generators used by Upper Peninsula utilities (witnesses used the acronym RICE to describe these units). Opponents said the Clean Energy and Jobs Act (PA 235 of 2023) already includes planning processes and off‑ramps that can address reliability concerns, and argued that exempting generators now would remove accountability and preclude more cost‑effective and cleaner alternatives.

Votes at a glance: - House Bill 4283 (reported with recommendation as amended): Amendment adopted (moved by Representative Preston). Motion to report (moved by Representative Martin): 12 ayes, 1 nay, 3 passes. Outcome: reported with recommendation as amended and a new substitute. - House Bill 4007 (referred to Rules Committee): Brixie amendment to strike clean‑energy definition — failed (6 yeas, 10 nays). Motion to refer to Rules (moved by Representative Linting): 12 ayes, 2 nays, 2 passes. Outcome: referred to Rules.

Public comment cards filed for the record included both supporters and opponents: supporters included Jason Hayes (Mackinac Center); opponents included Carly Knott (Michigan Environmental Council), Clean Water Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Ecology Center and other environmental and public‑health organizations.

Committee members and witnesses frequently referenced the MPSC integrated resource planning and renewable planning processes and the state’s Clean Energy and Jobs Act (PA 235 of 2023) during testimony about whether statutory exemptions were necessary or premature. Witnesses also discussed a state clean energy fund referenced at $129,000,000 as a resource that could be deployed to help Upper Peninsula communities and ratepayers.

The committee concluded its business for the day after the roll calls; both bills will continue through the legislative process per the committee’s actions.