MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Ambassadors are encouraging Upper Peninsula residents to voice their support for two bills currently on the table in the Michigan Senate – HB 4007 and HB 4283. These bills were drafted in response to the 2023 energy laws that have put Michigan on a path to 100% clean energy by 2040 and statewide carbon neutrality by 2050.

The energy bills passed in 2023 are substantial in requiring responsible energy generation from U.P. utility and energy providers. However, the U.P. has been proactive in replacing and dismantling its coal-fired power plants and replacing them with newer Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine generators.

Three RICE generators have been put into use in the U.P recently (located in Pelkie, Negaunee Township and the city of Marquette) and contribute to the reliability and resiliency of our electric grid. They are designed to provide dependable service until approximately 2050.

Passage of HB 4007 and 4283 would grant the U.P additional time to complete the transition to cleaner energy while continuing to utilize new infrastructure that is reducing emissions and supporting grid reliability. Without passage of these bills, U.P. energy providers, residents, and businesses will be forced to share costs associated with the premature retirement of the RICE generators.

Upper Michigan Energy Resources estimates Baraga County customers could see approximately 60-80% rate increases between 2030 and 2040 for residential customers and 50-100% rate increases between 2030 and 2040 for business customers.

Similarly, the Marquette Board of Light & Power estimates the impacts of approximately 50% rate increase by 2040.