State Representative Steve Frisbie announced on Mar. 11 that he is cosponsoring a legislative plan aimed at making Michigan’s energy policy more reliable and affordable. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Capitol.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal energy mandates enacted in 2023, which require all of Michigan’s power to come from renewable sources. Instead, the new framework would focus on dependable power and lower costs for residents. Frisbie said, “Michigan families deserve energy policy that keeps their lights on and bills affordable.” He added, “We cannot prioritize political slogans over reality. This plan restores a commonsense approach that puts reliability and the cost to ratepayers first.”
A study by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy found that the 2023 mandates could increase annual electricity costs for homeowners by more than $2,700 and raise the risk of power outages due to additional strain on the electrical grid. Frisbie said the House Republican proposal will restore flexibility for utilities while prioritizing grid performance, fuel security, and affordability.
Key points of the plan include repealing politically driven targets in favor of grid reliability, prohibiting third-party advocacy organizations from being funded through customer utility rates, requiring full-cost accounting for all energy sources including backup power needs, mandating approval of utility plans based on system reliability and cost efficiency by the Michigan Public Service Commission, and streamlining regulations to speed up investments that strengthen the grid.
Frisbie concluded, “Michigan families aren’t ATMs for a broken system. Their utility bills should pay for power that works.”
The broader implications of this proposal could affect how utilities operate in Michigan and may influence future debates about balancing renewable energy goals with concerns about cost and reliability.
