Michigan Announces Plan To Develop Clean Energy Jobs

MICHIGAN — A pair of executive orders signed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Wednesday create the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to protect the environment and help develop new clean energy jobs by putting Michigan on a path toward becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050, the state announced in a news release.

“The science is clear – climate change is directly impacting our public health, environment, our economy, and our families,” Whitmer said in a statement. “This dangerous reality is already causing harm throughout Michigan, with communities of color and low-income Michiganders suffering disproportionately, which is why I’m taking immediate action to protect our state. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to leave them a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

“Through comprehensive and aggressive steps, we will combat the climate crisis by formally setting and relentlessly pursuing a goal of statewide decarbonization by 2050. These bold actions will provide critical protections for our environment, economy, and public health, now and for years to come. It will also position Michigan to attract a new generation of clean energy and energy efficiency jobs.”

Executive Directive 2020-10 sets the goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. Officials said transitioning to carbon neutrality will mitigate the future harms of climate change and enable Michigan to take full advantage of the ongoing global energy transformation — from the jobs it will generate for our skilled workforce, to the protections it will provide for natural resources, to the savings it will bring to communities and utility customers.

To ensure steady progress in its goal, the executive directive puts forth that Michigan will aim to achieve a 28 percent reduction below 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, according to a news release.

"Michiganders have been on the front lines of environmental protection from the first Earth Day 50 years ago, and we continue to lead with these important steps to safeguard Michiganders and their natural resources,” EGLE Director Liesl Clark said in a statement. “We see forward motion with the establishment of the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice and the recent announcement of training and technical assistance to help communities address climate impacts.

"We’re excited to amplify and elevate the work of so many Michigan cities and towns taking vital steps to protect their residents and resources, while sharing in the benefits brought by clean energy industries.”

Executive Directive 2020-10 and Executive Order 2020-182 are effective immediately.