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Here are 4 good reasons why we need an Upper Peninsula energy plan

With the planned closure of the Presque Isle Power Plant, the Upper Peninsula’s energy future has been the topic of heated debate. As representative for Michigan’s 110th House District, I want to make sure the U.P. has a voice in its energy future. Energy is among the most important issues I have encountered as a legislator, and one that will impact the U.P. for decades to come.

Last week, I introduced House Bill 4683, which would require the Michigan Public Service Commission to work with stakeholders in each of the state’s prosperity regions to develop an energy plan. The U.P. as a whole is prosperity region 1.

Under my bill, the commission would gather public input to choose an energy plan that is likely to give ratepayers the best value over time. It wouldn’t take more than a year, and would give us, the ratepayers, a road map for investing in important, costly, energy infrastructure.

Here are four reasons why we need an energy plan:

  • A U.P. energy plan promotes U.P. energy Independence. We in the U.P. are blessed to be surrounded by three glorious Great Lakes. But these natural bottlenecks present a challenge to importing energy, which is part of our problem today. That is why I believe we need to give full consideration to generating as much power as is practical right here.

The U.P. should have an all-of-the-above energy profile that includes natural gas and renewables like woody biomass, geothermal, and solar energy. We can put people to work at home and know the electricity we need to power our homes and businesses is being generated nearby.

  • A smart energy plan is key to job growth. I agree with Gov. Rick Snyder that we need to work together as a region to lay the groundwork for a growing economy. We need affordable, reliable, abundant energy to compete for good-paying jobs. But right now, manufacturers are discouraged from locating in the UP due to high electricity rates and a lack of availability. And at 24 cents a kilowatt hour, household ratepayers are putting money towards their energy bills that could be spent at local businesses.
  • We don’t know if we need a transmission line, or if we do, how big it should be. Last month, Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, introduced a bill to create a commission that could OK a transmission line that runs from Gaylord in the Lower Peninsula, across the straits of Mackinac and west, possibly to Marquette or farther.

With respect to my fellow U.P. colleague, I understand that transmission could be part of the picture. But, I am opposed to giving this project legislative approval before we understand the full cost. Before we commit to building more transmission, we should make sure it is the best deal for U.P. ratepayers. We should have a plan.

  • If Yoopers don’t make a plan for the U.P., special interests will. Working with the Public Service Commission to develop an energy plan takes the process out of Lansing’s back rooms and puts it firmly in the public eye. My bill would give U.P. businesses, local governments and concerned citizens input into the decision-making process, on the same footing as the utility companies and transmission companies. After all, shouldn’t the process work for the people who are footing the bill?

In the coming year, many decisions will be made that will affect the U.P.’s energy situation for a long time. The cost of our power bills, and even how much energy we have for future mining and manufacturing ventures, is at stake.

Opponents of an energy plan will tell us that we don’t have time to sort through our options. Call me old fashioned, but you wouldn’t buy a hot water heater from Menard’s without doing some comparison shopping. Before we invest millions and even billions of dollars into our energy infrastructure, we should be certain we know what we are buying.

If you are concerned about the U.P.’s energy future and want the Public Service Commission to conduct a planning process, please contact Gov. Snyder and tell him. His office can be reached at 517-373-3400 or rick.snyder@ michigan.gov.

Editor’s note: State Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, is a second-term legislator Michigan’s 110th House District.

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