To the Journal editor:

State Rep. Jenn Hill has an extensive background in northern Michigan’s energy needs with a solid understanding of costs and implementation. Hers is one of the newest legislators’ voices adding to the effort that has been building in Michigan for decades but has been blocked repeatedly by the status quo.

Finally, progressive energy experts are gaining traction in Lansing, with enough votes in the House and Senate to prevail. I say to those influenced by fossil fuel companies (a group which takes billions of our tax dollars via subsidies and spends millions annually lobbying our state and federal elected officials): Take notice. The politicians denouncing this new energy policy as “sudden and radical” are missing multiple opportunities by making it seem as though energy is “us” verses “them.” This is about our future and increasing our competitiveness. Fossil fuel lobbyists don’t deserve a place at the legislative table.

Michigan has wise and capable people in the energy world who are looking at options and timelines. Even with that, we may be outmaneuvered in the scramble to obtain innovators, companies, grants, and money from the Inflation Reduction Act and from EGLE if we take the usual “wait and see” approach.

A December segment on “60 Minutes” highlighted Wyoming’s governor’s promotion of clean energy production and carbon capture. Wyoming is run by conservatives, is the nation’s highest exporter of coal, yet this group of conservatives understand the direction the world is taking.

On the national broadcast the governor invited anyone with innovative energy ideas to use their state for testing and launch. Why Wyoming and not Michigan? At the recent United Nations climate summit (COP28) delegates from 200 countries finally agreed that everyone must “transition away” from fossil fuels. Our future, 20, 30, and 40 years out is evident. We have to start thinking and planning now.

Our state’s population is decreasing, and too many workers are leaving. Attend a “career fair” at Michigan Technological University to see that the majority of recruiters there enticing our new engineers away are from other states and from international companies.

In my son’s peer group, very few are building their careers in Michigan. They are now in Georgia, Minnesota, Alaska, Florida and New Jersey. The companies they work for are in emerging industries and employ thousands. Let the Michigan workforce be the one to excel, export expertise to other states, and be the stars at the industry trade shows.

Some innovators are already starting up. MTU’s Keweenaw Energy Transition Lab aims to transform abandoned hard-metal mines in the UP into utility-scale batteries. Renewable energy systems could be sited at these deforested mining sites.

Mining communities, which struggle here in the UP, could re-gain industries, skilled jobs, and a tax base. Negaunee is interested in this pilot study using the Mather Mine. The concept has been proven in Ludington, with their 27-billion-gallon pumped storage power plant operating since 1973. These are examples worth pursuing.

We either make the commitment and strive toward the energy future or we hesitate. Those who drag this decision into “sound bites” to use in political campaigns are causing us to lose time and momentum. Rep. Jenn Hill is a knowledgeable voice bringing this message from Lansing. We need to listen, ask the appropriate questions, engage with our power experts, and get going on problem-solving.