LANSING, Mich. — Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, on Thursday released the following statement after Senate Democrats passed a series of bills to drastically change Michigan’s energy policy:
“Policy shifts of this magnitude should not be so blatantly partisan. This extreme, impulsive strategy thrown together by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Democrats will set Michigan on a disastrous economic course, stifling growth in our communities. Even one of the bill sponsors has admitted that implementing this radical Michigan Green New Deal will force families and job creators to pay much higher energy costs.
“As if the prices of groceries, gas, and housing aren’t increasing enough, higher energy bills are now being added on top of the almost $2 billion in payroll and income tax increases getting pushed through the Legislature by Lansing Democrats. It appears that life in Michigan is becoming more unaffordable with each partisan bill they pass.
“Radical ideological approaches to energy policy typically result in having to correct course and revert back to traditional fuels and nuclear power that will make sure peoples’ lights come on when they flip the switch. We have seen the evidence from states like California and Illinois that are now grudgingly bringing nuclear plants back online and countries like Germany that shuttered nuclear plants only to become reliant on Russian natural gas.
“This is not the time to force the people of Michigan to pay more for less reliable energy. Michiganders deserve responsible energy policy — an all-of-the-above approach that utilizes existing and reliable sources, including natural gas and nuclear energy, while continuing to build up a renewable grid for the future. We can be both environmentally conscious and help lower costs for families, seniors, and small businesses. This should be the goal of our Legislature.”
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