Ricky Junquera, Ricky.Junquera@sierraclub.org, (617) 599-7048
LANSING, MI - Today, Michigan’s two largest utilities, DTE and Consumers Energy, announced that they are committing to a 50 percent clean energy goal by 2030, including investments ensuring that 25 percent of the electricity they sell comes from renewable sources by that time, along with energy efficiency programs to reduce energy demand.
In response, Michigan Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign Regina Strong released the following statement:
“This commitment from DTE and Consumers Energy is good news for Michiganders. It shows that renewable energy is the most cost-effective and practical solution for Michigan's electricity needs. Fifty percent clean energy is the floor and not the ceiling for what these two utilities can achieve by 2030, and we challenge them and Michigan’s other utilities to meet and beat these goals. With Iowa and Kansas today generating more than 35 percent of their energy from renewables, we know Michigan can do better 12 years from now. Renewable energy and energy efficiency continue to provide the best option for utilities because they are low-cost, pro-health and pro-worker. We look forward to realizing a Michigan free of power generated by burning dirty fossil fuels and to hearing the utilities’ plans for retiring their remaining coal plants in Michigan.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.