Non-partisan groups thank lawmakers for including clean energy law implementation, funding for clean transportation, energy efficiency in state budget
LANSING, Mich. – A coalition of nonpartisan Michigan groups is thanking the Michigan Legislature for making critical investments to protect our air, land and water for the future of our state by passing the 2025 state budget, while urging them to provide more funding in these areas.
The state budget includes funding for the implementation of the state’s historic 100% clean energy standard, affordable energy and energy efficiency projects, clean mobility and transportation — but those investments are still only a fraction of what’s needed to protect Michiganders from rising costs while reducing pollution.
“The funding allocated for pre-weatherization, housing stock and homeowner affordability will help us make improvements to the quality, safety and affordability of Michigan’s existing attainable and low-income housing,” said Carlee Knott, energy and climate policy coordinator for the Michigan Environmental Council. “Much more funding is needed through a comprehensive whole-home approach so we can help ensure that our homes are free of pollutants, residents are staying cool in the summer and warm through the winter and homes are resilient to the effects of climate change. Energy efficient homes help save people money on utility bills and protect our air, land and water for generations to come.”
“With the transportation sector now the leading source of climate-changing emissions, Michigan’s 2025 budget makes some critical commitments to cleaner transportation options that will help us meet our state’s climate and pollution reduction goals and increase access to clean mobility for all Michiganders,” said Charles Griffith, climate and energy program director at the Ecology Center. “We’ve still got work to do if we want to be leaders in clean mobility, however, which will require consideration of new policy initiatives that set targets for clean vehicles and transportation emission reductions, and that raise new revenues to help support this critical transition.”
“We applaud the Michigan Legislature for their transformative investments in clean mobility,” said Jane McCurry, executive director of Clean Fuels Michigan. “These investments will not only advance the state’s transportation goals but also bolster Michigan’s position as a national leader in the clean mobility transition by developing our infrastructure, encouraging the deployment of cleaner vehicles and creating jobs in a rapidly growing sector.”
“We’re thrilled that Michigan is getting a statewide e-bike incentive program and so grateful to all the people who helped make it happen. E-bikes are the future. They’re a transformative, extremely popular form of affordable transportation with benefits for public health, climate goals and cleaner air. With this program, Michigan will join 10 other states that recognize their potential to make our streets less crowded and our commutes more joyful," said Matt Penniman, communications and advocacy director for the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
“While we appreciate the Legislature’s increased attention to transit this year, this budget falls far short of the transit operating funds Michigan needs,” said Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United. “Even as the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan and Growing Michigan Together Council have called for significant investments in transit, these budget levels may result in cuts in transit service, especially in fragile rural communities. Our state must do better.”
“We applaud the Michigan Legislature for taking critical steps to further the state’s development of a thriving clean energy economy,” said Courtney Bourgoin, senior Midwest policy and advocacy manager at Evergreen Action. “These investments not only support the implementation of the state’s clean energy and energy efficiency goals, but will also create good-paying jobs, enhance the workforce with essential trainings and attract significant additional investment to Michigan. We must continue building on this progress to ensure that everyone in Michigan benefits from clean air, clean water, and affordable energy."
The coalition highlights the following allocations in the state budget:
Michigan’s 100% clean energy standard
- $156.2 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding for Solar for All, which supports solar programs for low-income households to increase residential solar installation, increase pollution abatement and improve grid reliability
- $7 million for implementation of the 2023 Clean Energy Jobs Act at the Michigan Public Service Commission
- $5 million for grants to businesses, nonprofit organizations and units of local and state government for planning, developing, designing, acquiring or constructing renewable energy and electrification infrastructure projects
- $5 million for Michigan’s nonprofit green bank (Michigan Saves)
Clean Buildings
- $33.4 million for housing stock and homeowner affordability, which can be used to build new construction, renovate current homes and complete energy efficiency improvements
- About $22 million for weatherization assistance with an additional $40 million in funds through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- $5 million for pre-weatherization projects, which will help protect our homes against the effects of climate change
Clean mobility and transportation
- $30 million to add EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling facilities around Michigan
- $1m for state fleet electric vehicle transition
- Increase of $30 million for local bus operating for a total of $247 million
- Increase of $14.5 million for rail operations and oversight for a total of $152 million
- $2.95 million for E-bike purchase incentives
- $2.5 million for the Economic and Worker Transition Office to aid Michiganders with the transition to electric vehicles and clean energy
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