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Some of the low-lights of Senator Patty Birkholz’s
Ridiculous Portfolio Standards and Energy Efficiency Eviseration Bill, SB 213,
have been summarized by folks who know this issue inside out as literally page after page of specific
wording elements that undercut or act to prevent the actual achievement of real
energy efficiency or real Michigan-based renewable energy. The technical details of this bill are
such that it is quite likely that this legislation would result in little or no
actual energy efficiency programs and no new Michigan-based renewable energy. In
fact, it’s hard to imagine a bill that more thoroughly and consistently
interjects elements that would undermine the ability to achieve true energy
efficiency and Specifically, it would allow a coal burning Integrated
gasification combined-cycle or IGCC facility to count toward the percentage
required by all providers that was originally an entirely renewable or energy
efficiency standard. The argument is that they would require carbon
sequestration, but they also are careful to say this isn’t “renewable”,
but rather a “CLEANER energy system” -- I like the “-er”
at the end -- it makes it clear (or perhaps clear-er than otherwise) that is
neither renewable, nor even clean energy -- it is just clean-ER than 50 year
old coal fired power plants. Not much of a bar. Energy Efficiency isn’t even included in the
definitions of the bill. Perhaps this goes to the motto-- “Why do
the smartest, cheapest and quickest things we can for our state’s energy
needs when we can cater to utilities and massive industry interests with no
concern for The net effect of many of the provisions regarding various “credits”
for renewables in the bill add up to apparently in reality zero requirement for
any actual renewable facilities to be built in Michigan. Say
goodbye to good jobs, while we cling to the sinking ship of massive old and new
coal and nuclear facilties! The bill would set up a difficult, expensive and burdensome
process for actually accounting for an “integrated renewable energy
portfolio plan”, which is often a classic sign of a poison pill designed
to kill off a bill by making it toxic to its original supporters, or making so
cumbersome that even if passed it will be undone in the future because it is
unworkable. It is apparent that this bill was designed as a massive poison
pill. More later or from others. It is enough to make you
want to … ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anne M. Woiwode, State Director Sierra Club Visit us at http://michigan.sierraclub.org/index.shtml Act Today: Join our Legislative Alerts System! http://mackinac.sierraclubaction.org Act FOR Tomorrow: Support the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
- contact "The idea of shifting to a carbon-free society
appears to be technically feasible. The question is whether it's politically
feasible or economically feasible." Brian O'Neil, |