Dive Brief:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions goals could mean billions of dollars will be spent in Michigan to construct cleaner generation, potentially lending a boost to the state's employment figures.
- Michigan's emissions reduction target is about 31% under the EPA's proposal, and the aggressive goal could also be a boon for the state's renewable industry.
- Up to $15 billion could be spent in the state, according to reporting in the Lansing State Journal, in a push that could transform its energy sector and add thousands of jobs across the next two decades.
Dive Insight:
The new emissions targets could mean half of Michigan's coal-fired generation will need to be scrapped, according to Gerard Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy. The Lansing State Journal quotes Anderson saying the state's power industry "is headed for the biggest transformation it’s seen in 40 years, starting soon ... This is the most important and most sweeping environmental regulation ever issued in our sector by a pretty wide margin, and perhaps the most important environmental regulation ever issued.”
Anderson also said the utility industry is not opposed to the emissions targets, but wants the federal government to allow more time for state's to comply.
Michigan has about 83,600 people working in the energy industry, with less than 8,000 focused on alternative energy. But the Lansing State Journal reports the coming need for cleaner power could boost that industry significantly.