Dive Brief:
- Michigan lawmaker Gary Glenn, a Tea Party Republican in the state's House of Representatives, says he wants to incentivize green power in the state by lifting a 1% cap on net metering for solar projects.
- Glenn has also proposed restructering the state's problematic choice law, allowing more than 10% of demand to seek alternative suppliers if the are buying renewable power.
- Glenn told Midwest Energy News that his proposal may find middle ground between Republicans who want to return the state to full regulation, and Democrats pushing to expand the choice program.
Dive Insight:
Green power advocates in Michigan may have found a surprising ally in Rep. Gary Glenn, who is more often known for conservative social positions (he leads the Michigan chapter of the American Family Association, Midwest Energy News points out). But the Tea Party Republican wants to grow solar in the state — though "not mandate" it, he is quick to note.
Glenn is also proposing to drop limits on the state's choice program, currently capped at 10%, if customers are seeking renewable energy. He would also lift the current 1% cap on net metering projects, and allow customers with solar installations to be paid for excess power at the same retail rate they pay the utility.
“As part of a competition-driven, free-market and incentive-based package, it gives consumers choice,” Glenn told the news outlet. A growing "Green Tea Party" movement has surfaced recently, with some conservative lawmakers embracing solar power and conservation of resources.
Michigan's choice law and its approach to renewables has been problematic for a state heavily reliant on older power facilities.
Republican state senators have introduced two bills making up the Michigan Clean Energy Plan, one of which would strike renewables and efficiency mandates in favor of allowing the market to choose lowest-cost resources. A second bill would maintain Michigan's 10% energy choice rule, but would require alternative suppliers to demonstrate sufficient capacity to cover their obligations and would restrict new customers in the market.
House Republicans have been considering measures to fully strike MIchigan's choice law.
