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For the first time in 42 years, Michiganders have elected a majority of legislators who committed to support clean energy, protect the Great Lakes, and address environmental injustices. But the first four months of this term have been disappointing as legislation on environmental issues has not moved.
The Sierra Club’s Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 17, is an all-hands-on-deck event to urge your elected officials to act. You’ll join Sierra Club members and supporters advocating for clean energy for all, including community and rooftop solar, more utility accountability, shutting down coal plants, and investing in efficiency, wind and solar for the state.
This is a critical opportunity to educate Michigan legislators about the issues YOU care about. All lobbying takes place in teams of two to six people. Each team will work with an experienced lead lobbyist who knows their way around the Capitol and will lead the meetings. No experience is necessary to participate since we will host a training session beforehand to give you all the information you need.
Wind turbines in Gratiot County benefit farmers and the community. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
A Clean Energy Future is Possible with a Plan. The “Clean Energy Future Plan” legislative package was recently introduced into the Michigan Senate by Senators Sam Singh (D-28) and Sue Shink (D-14). The bills include plans to phase out coal fired plants by 2030, put Michigan on a path to 100% clean energy by 2035, increase energy efficiency, decarbonize homes and businesses, and support farmers who rent land to solar farms. The plan would also give the Michigan Public Service Commission authority to mandate stronger action by utilities to address climate and equity issues.
These bills send a strong signal that Michigan is moving toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Sierra Club volunteers and staff will work hard to ensure that the final outcome includes the best possible support for real renewable energy sources instead of false solutions like fracked gas and unproven incineration technologies.
Read Sierra Club’s full statement on the Clean Energy Future Plan here.
Key legislators are proposing to loosen laws for aggregate mining while action on clean energy, polluter pay and Great Lakes protection legislation languishes. File photo.
Environmental Leaders Speak Out: It's Time to Prioritize the Great Lakes, Not Polluters. Environmental leaders responded to the announcement last Wednesday that Representatives Angela Witwer (D-76), Pat Outman (R-91) and Tyrone Carter (D-1) are moving forward on bad aggregate mining legislation opposed by environmentalists before acting on clean energy priorities, polluter pay legislation and Great Lakes protections. In a release from Sierra Club, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition and Clean Water Action leaders called on legislators to respect the priorities of millions of Michigan voters who elected an environmental majority to the legislature in 2022.
“We have a small window of opportunity to tackle the climate crisis – time is up,” said Elayne Elliott, Michigan Chapter director. “Instead of moving the clean energy priorities voters demanded, today’s announcement indicates that the State House is caving to the same dark money in Lansing that has stalled meaningful climate action and polluter accountability for decades. There’s a pathway to making this bill package better and we are ready to work with legislators to do so, but we must act on clean energy first. It is a betrayal of the voters that turned out for the first pro-environment majority in decades to push legislation that will make water quality worse.”
DNR map showing proposed expansion of Camp Grayling, which the agency has rejected. Courtesy of DNR.
Camp Grayling Expansion Proposal Rejected by DNR. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rejected a proposal by the National Guard to dramatically expand their Camp Grayling footprint on state lands. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs had requested a 20-year lease on over 160,000 acres of state forest in Northern Michigan. This encouraging step by the DNR would not have occurred without the on-the-ground work done by local communities. There is more work to be done and the Sierra Club will continue to monitor this issue and hold the National Guard accountable.
Read the DNR’s statement on the proposal rejection here.
Read Sierra Club's comments opposing the proposal here.
Photo courtesy of Oil and Water Don't Mix.
UN Forum Calls for Shutdown of Line 5. Environmental Defence of Canada issued a release reporting that "the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) recommended that Canada and the United States decommission the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline. In the Final Report of its annual session, issued last week, the UNPFII recognized that Line 5 “jeopardize[s] the Great Lakes” and “presents a real and credible threat to the treaty-protected fishing rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada.” It called on Canada to reexamine its support for the pipeline, and for the pipeline to be shut down."
"The Anishinabek are the people of the Great Lakes and never before has there been such a unified call for action for both the United States and Canada to abandon failing fossil fuel infrastructure to protect our land and water,” states Bay Mills Indian Community Ogimaakwe (President) Whitney Gravelle.
Read the entire Environmental Defence release here.
Sierra Club Crossroads Group members tour the Assembly Solar facility in March 2023. Photo by Tamara Horne.
Crossroads Group Tours Assembly Solar. Members of the Sierra Club Crossroads Group and from west Michigan traveled to a newly completed 1,200 acre solar array underplanted with native plants. Combining clean energy production and plantings helps extend the life of the solar arrays and provides agricultural products and support for pollinators.
Former Congressman Andy Levin and Rep. Helena Scott served as Honorary Co-chairs the 2023 Oakland County Climate March, Rally and Fair in Royal Oak on Earth Day.
Earth Day Events Recaps. Across the state people gathered to celebrate Earth Day with cleanups, marches, speeches, educational events, petitions and actions. Michiganders continue to show a deep commitment to protecting and restoring our air, water, special places and communities. Read about events in Grand Haven and Oakland County here, and help make Earth Day every day by joining Sierra Club and taking actions listed here and in every issue of the Michigan Chapter Update.
David Holtz receiving the Sierra Club Susan Miller Award in 2020 (l), and in the Detroit Rally for Justice in 2005 (r). File photos.
Michigan's David Holtz Elected to Sierra Club Board of Directors. Congratulations to David Holtz, longtime Michigan Chapter leader and former staff member, on his election to the Sierra Club board of directors. David joins the board of fifteen Sierra Club members from around the country who oversee the national organization. Also elected this year were Rita Harris of Tennessee, Patrick Murphy of Texas, David Scott of Ohio and Shruti Bhatnagar of Maryland. We are grateful to these volunteer leaders for their commitment to protecting, exploring and enjoying the planet and people everywhere.
Lydia Fischer (l) and Anna Holden (r) have left environmental legacies to be celebrated. Photos courtesy of Jan O'Connell.
Remembering Anna Holden and Lydia Fischer. Michigan has lost two amazing women who both left outstanding environmental legacies. The work of Anna Holden and Lydia Fischer, two Sierra Club Michigan leaders, should not be forgotten. They worked in tandem to affect the environmental progress that we may take for granted today. Please read about the amazing work of these two women who passed away within days of each other in March.
Lake Michigan, photo by Anne Woiwode.
Become a Sierra Club Member, or Give a Gift Membership. Protecting the Great Lakes, fighting climate change, ending environmental injustice and ensuring democracy is secured are essential to providing today’s children with the future they deserve. And these challenges can only be met by joining together to make our voices heard. The Sierra Club is the largest grassroots environmental organization in the nation and is leading the fight on these issues. Amplify your voice by becoming a Sierra Club member today!
Are you already a Sierra Club member? Give a gift membership to a friend or family member and show them you are taking steps to ensure a brighter future for everyone.
Detroit Outdoors outing at Scout Hollow campground in Rouge Park, Detroit (l), photo by Garrett Dempsey. Car camping in Pigeon River Country, photo by Anne Woiwode.
Explore and Enjoy:Camping Leadership Immersion Course, May 20 - 21. The Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC) Training, offered by Detroit Outdoors, is designed to provide leaders from youth-serving organizations with the skills and resources to plan and lead a youth front country (car) camping trip. During the 28-hour training, teachers and leaders practice front country camping skills and discuss how to use the outdoors as a tool for youth development. Find out more and register here.
