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November 2023

Michigan becomes a national leader in climate action with new legislation, making progress on the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan

2023 was an unprecedented year for bold climate action for Michigan. The Michigan legislature passed important climate legislation that included key recommendations from the MI Healthy Climate Plan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan that charts a path towards 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.

In November, just before they adjourned for the year, the legislature passed the Clean Energy Future Package (Senate Bills 271, 273, 277, 502, 519) and the Clean Energy and Jobs Act (House Bills 5120, 5121) containing key climate initiatives that were called for in the MI Healthy Climate Plan's Roadmap to 2030. These bills not only help the state implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan but will, according to a recent report, save Michigan households an average of $145 a year in energy costs, help the state secure nearly $8 billion in federal investment, and will spur the creation of almost 160,000 jobs.

The legislature’s actions this year will rocket Michigan into national clean energy leadership and ensure our state’s ambition meets the urgency of the climate crisis.

EGLE gathers input for MI Healthy Climate Plan and federal climate grant opportunity

A funding opportunity through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has Michigan climate action proponents seeking public input statewide. The EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program has opened its highly competitive Implementation Grants General Competition, funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Applicants must present implementation-ready projects in a Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) that includes a full analysis of potential emissions reductions, community and workforce impacts, and other benefits.  To identify priorities to be included as a part of the state’s PCAP and further inform the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, the Office of Climate and Energy in Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting a series of in-person and virtual public input sessions and requesting project or program ideas from eligible applicants that are interested in pursuing funds through the EPA competition.

MI Healthy Climate Corps updates

Host application deadline extended to Nov. 29!

Earlier this month, EGLE presented a webinar on Building climate action capacity through the MI Healthy Climate Corps. If you are a government or nonprofit organization on the frontlines of addressing climate change in Michigan and want to host a member, or if you might be interested in serving as a MI Healthy Climate Corps AmeriCorps member to help meet the moment of climate action in Michigan, you should check out the webinar recording and visit the MI Healthy Climate Corps website for more info. 

Important Dates:

• Nov. 29 - Host application deadline extension
• Dec. 15 - Host partner selections announced & partner webinar
• Dec. 15 - Corps member applications open
• Jan. 15 - Member applications close
• Jan. 15 - Host Site Fees Due
• March - Members start service

MI Healthy Climate news

• Governor Whitmer Signs Historic Clean Energy & Climate Action Package
• Michigan wants help with climate project checklist before bid for federal cash
• MPSC seeks public input on request for proposals for renewable energy and electrification grants
• Michigan wants 100 percent of its electricity to be clean by 2040
• ICYMI New Report: Michigan Leading Battery & Clean Energy Race, with $21.3 Billion of Projects, 16,600+ Jobs Created, 167,000 Jobs Projected
• Why Michigan’s Clean Energy Bill Is a Really Big Deal
• NY Times: A Package of Bold Laws Puts Michigan on a Fast Track to Renewable Energy
• Governor Whitmer Statement on Passage of Clean Energy Legislation to Lower Costs, Create Jobs, Protect Air & Water, Make More Energy in Michigan
• State to launch climate corps to help Michigan decarbonize
• MI Healthy Climate Corps program to launch in March 2024
• Michigan Takes Innovative Approach to Help Small Auto Suppliers Transition from ICE to EV
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act Resources Series Oct 2023 Update
• Michigan has the most clean energy workers in the Midwest, report finds

Upcoming events

• Now through mid-March, 2024
  Fifth National Climate Assessment Webinar Series
• November 29, 6-8 PM
  MI Healthy Climate Plan In-Person Public Input Session 
  (registration recommended)
  Zero Net Energy Center, 1358 Abbott St., Detroit, MI 48226 
• November 30, 6-8 PM
  MI Healthy Climate Plan In-Person Public Input Session
  (registration recommended)
  Grand Valley State University, Dan & Pamela DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, 333 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
• December 4, 1 - 2 PM
  MI Solar Communities Webinar: Utilization of Geothermal and Other Resources
• December 5, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
  EnviroSchool: Think Global, Teach Local: Michigan-based curriculum connections for climate change education
• December 5, 6-8 PM
  MI Healthy Climate Plan In-Person Public Input Session
  (registration recommended)
  Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Department of Public Health, Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Old Flint Journal Building,
  200 E. 1st St., Room 132, Flint, MI 48502
• December 6, 6-8 PM
  MI Healthy Climate Plan In-Person Public Input Session
  (registration recommended)
  Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI  49855
• December 12 – 6-8 PM
  MI Healthy Climate Plan In-Person Public Input Session
  (registration recommended)
  North Central Michigan College, 1515 Howard St., Petoskey, MI  49770
• December 13, 11 AM - 12 PM
  Michigan Green Communities New Sustainability Plan Resource Kit Tutorial and Program Updates
• December 14, 6-8 PM
  Virtual Public Input Session 1 - MI Healthy Climate Plan Implementation
• December 18, 6-8 PM
  Virtual Public Input Session 2 - MI Healthy Climate Plan Implementation
• May 16-17, 2024
  2024 MI Healthy Climate Conference
  Lansing, MI

Visit Michigan.gov/Climate for more information.

Follow @MichiganEGLE and the #MiHealthyClimate conversation on Twitter.