Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Michigan On Track To Meet 10% Renewable Energy Standard

As America watches Michigan vote today in the GOP primary, now is a good time to bring attention to the latest report of the Michigan Public Service Commission, documenting that Michigan will have10% of its electricity coming from renewable energy sources by 2015.  See details at:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/implementation_PA295_renewable_energy2-15-2012_376924_7.pdf.

Michigan got 3.8% of its energy from renewables in 2011, but renewable energy will increase to 5% in 2012, and 8.4% by 2013 and 10% by 2015. Michigan is on track to meet its statutorily set Renewable Portfolio Standard on time and at bargain prices.

New construction or purchase of renewable generation by the state's two biggest electric utilities--Consumer Energy and Detroit Edison--is crucial to achieving the state requirement.  Consumer Energy will bring on line 397 megawatts of new renewables by 2012 and 547 megawatts by 2014. 

Detroit Edison will build even more--327 megawatts by 2012, 571 megawatts by 2013, and 841 megawatts by 2014.

The Michigan Public Service Commission notes that the costs of renewable energy is much lower than expected, is declining, and costs less than a new coal plant.

Michigan's success of meeting its 10% by 2015 RPS underlines again how modest the Pennsylvania 8% by 2021 renewable energy standard in fact is.  Not surprisingly, Pennsylvania is on schedule or ahead of schedule to meet its requirement.

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