As 2026 begins, Michigan lawmakers are heading into a high-stakes legislative session that will shape our state’s future in an election year. Decisions on data centers, water and corporate accountability will determine whether families face higher costs or stronger protections. Michigan Sierra Club will be there to ensure people and communities come before corporate interests.
Below is a snapshot of some (not all) legislative priorities for 2026.
Data Centers
Without clear guardrails, these massive facilities can drive up electric bills, increase fossil fuel use, strain local water supplies and sideline community voices. Michigan needs a people-first framework that requires transparency, protects ratepayers and water resources and ensures data centers bring new clean energy rather than crowding out households and small businesses.
Defending Michigan’s Clean Energy Law
We expect a continued, coordinated effort in 2026 to weaken or roll back the Clean Energy & Jobs Act, the landmark 2023 law modernizing Michigan’s power system, improving reliability and driving clean energy investment statewide. Legislative leaders aligned with monopoly utilities and fossil fuel interests have already signaled their intent to undermine its core protections. We will be working to defend this law and the savings and clean energy jobs it delivers.
Microplastics
Microplastic pollution is contaminating Michigan’s Great Lakes, drinking water and food supply, yet the state still lacks a full picture of where it comes from and . Strong legislation in 2026 can close those gaps, protect public health and position Michigan as a national leader in tackling this growing crisis before it becomes irreversible.
Community Solar
Expanding community solar is key to making clean energy accessible to renters, low-income households and small businesses shut out of rooftop solar. Updated laws can enable shared and community-owned solar projects that lower bills, strengthen local resilience and keep utilities from blocking progress.
Pushing Back on False Solutions and Holding Polluters Accountable
We will continue to push back against policies that incentivize false climate solutions. Many proposals in Michigan, such as carbon capture, are used to extend fossil fuel operations, Clean Fuel Standards, chemical or ‘advanced’ recycling, carbon offsets and fossil-gas-based hydrogen, are promoted as climate solutions despite limited real emissions benefits and significant community impacts. With more than 24,000 contaminated sites and ongoing PFAS threats to our water, real accountability, not half-measures, is essential to protecting communities across the state.