MARQUETTE — Legislators in the Upper Peninsula are split mostly along party lines after the passage of several energy bills.

The Michigan House of Representatives passed the House Clean Energy and Jobs Act and the Senate Clean Energy Future bills packages on Friday.

The Clean Energy and Jobs Act’s main goal is to ensure Michigan receives 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2040. The act will also “streamline the approval process for building large-scale renewable energy projects,” according to a press release from state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette.

“These bills represent an opportunity for Michigan and the U.P. to reduce energy costs, improve grid reliability and move toward a future of energy independence. Renewable energy standards will create new opportunities for critical mining operations and spur significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure, and our region can leverage those investments to create jobs and spur economic growth,” Hill said in a press release. “We also have an opportunity to draw down a historic allocation of federal funds through the implementation of these policies, bringing further investment to the state. I am eager to see the U.P. capitalize on this once-in-a-generation event.”

According to the press release from Hill, who is a member of the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee. Hill presented two amendments to the Clean Energy and Jobs Act — the first would more clearly define community benefits and the second would require developers pay into a local intervenor compensation fund used to cover costs for local units of government that want to be involved in the process.

The amendments ensure that local units of government are the primary drivers of clean energy development.

“I look forward to working with fellow community leaders, businesses and workers to make sure we meet this moment and maximize our region’s incredible potential,” Hill said.

However, the passing of energy bills have left state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River, and Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, feeling “frustrated,” according to a press release from Michigan Senate Republicans.

Prestin said in the press release that the bills are “the opposite of what the U.P. and Michigan needs.”

“The most urgent need is to reduce costs and increase reliability,” Prestin said. “Even if the tiny contribution Michigan makes to global emissions mattered, which it doesn’t, this plan will make living and working here harder for our residents.”

Markkanen said many U.P. residents want “freedom” to install their own solar and have “energy independence” when possible.

“But they also need reliable and affordable energy when the sun is not out and the wind is not blowing,” Markkanen said in the press release. “They also do not want tens of thousands of acres of their communities forced into being solar panels.”

According to the Michigan Senate Republicans press release, under the plan over 260,000 acres of land will be transitioned into solar generation, primarily directed to large blocks of “productive farmland.”

McBroom introduced an amendment to the plan to recognize the recent changes and agreements Cleveland-Cliffs participated in to enable installation of natural gas electric generation in the U.P. and stabilize electric reliability and prices in the region.

According to the Michigan Senate Republicans’ press release, “those actions cut carbon emissions from the previous coal-fired generation by an estimated 86%. Without the amendment, the new generation units will be forced to pay for costly mitigation or be replaced with non-natural gas or offset with other carbon programs.”

“Since I am in the minority and they did not need my vote, the majority chose to ignore my amendment,” McBroom said. “I knew we had a member of the majority in the House from the U.P. so I passed the amendment along to her, knowing they had to have her vote for passage.

“The amendment is in the same vein as the one Sen. (Mike) Prusi had amended to the 2008 bipartisan energy plan and recognizes the unique situation of U.P. energy in conjunction with our largest employers and the iron mines. I asked many informed local officials to communicate just how important this was for the mine, Marquette Board of Light and Power, and all U.P. ratepayers. I am very disappointed at the willingness to be the deciding vote without acting on the data from these critical members of our community.”