Rep. Roth: Northern Michigan abandoned as House passes green energy mandates

Dec 13, 2023

House passes energy mandates. Abandons Northern Michigan.

House Democrats ignored Northern Michigan Thursday as they steamrolled their radical green energy agenda through the House. State Rep. John Roth expressed major concerns about the legislation forcing unreliable, unsustainable, and expensive energy sources onto rural Michigan.

The legislation also cripples local control by giving the Michigan Public Service Commission – a three-member board appointed by the governor – the sole authority to permit large solar and wind construction.


“House Democrats have officially killed the lights on Northern Michigan families,” said Roth, R-Interlochen. “This plan makes us more reliant on energy sources that have already proven completely unreliable. My district came out hard against these bills, and Democrats fully ignored them. They chose to give in to far-left environmental activists with no regard for rural Michigan.”


Senate Bill 271 changes the state’s existing renewable energy standard as laid out in a bipartisan plan adopted in 2016. Currently, the renewable energy standard is set at 15%, but the partisan plan approved today would periodically increase the standard, ultimately spiking to 60% by 2033. Then a new clean energy standard of 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. Clean energy is defined as energy generated without emitting greenhouse gas or being fueled by natural gas.


“Our families are already drowning in bills,” Roth said. “Now, Democrats are expecting families to tread water with the lights off. Green energy hasn’t been able to fulfill the small amounts of energy currently asked of them. How can we expect these unreliable sources to power Michigan industry and heat our homes?”


Each of the bills were ultimately approved by the House along party lines. House Bills 5120-5123 now advance to the Senate for further consideration. Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502, the clean energy mandates, will soon be presented to the governor for her expected signature.



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31 Jul, 2022
Rep. Roth says the state budgets for the 2023 Fiscal Year signed into law over the last two weeks provide additional dollars for mental health in Michigan, and mean local community colleges will be able to provide four-year nursing degrees. Listen Here to Joh Roth's Statements:
26 May, 2022
RELEASE| May 25, 2022 Contact: John Roth A plan from state Rep. John Roth creating more flexibility for drivers of historic vehicles across the state was approved on Tuesday by the House Transportation Committee. House Bill 5882 extends the period of use for historic vehicles on Michigan roads from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Currently, historic vehicles are only allowed to drive on Michigan roads in the month of August or to club events. Roth, of Traverse City, said the measure is a common-sense reform as exhibitions, parades, festivals and recreational opportunities span throughout the summer months and expanding the operational timeframe removes current barriers. “We made an exception for the Dream Cruise in Oakland County several years ago,” Roth said. “But what about the other 82 counties in Michigan? What about people who wish to drive down the Old Mission Wine Trail in their historic vehicle during the summer? Or through the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs? “Michiganders love our cars and we’re the car state. There is a lot of tourism benefit moving throughout Michigan when our cars are on the move – and this unlocks that potential while recognizing that there are a few perfectly good months besides August where these vehicles can be on the road and at shows or festivals for people to enjoy.” The Michigan Vehicle Code defines a historic vehicle as one that is over 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector’s item or for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and similar uses – but is not used for general transportation. Individuals can register a vehicle that meets these provisions, but Roth noted that many people are choosing not to register them as historic vehicles because of the current overly restrictive language regarding their use. HB 5882 now moves to the full House for consideration.
21 May, 2022
This article is republished from the press release sent out from Representative John Roth's office and is located at: https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-roth-legislatures-tax-cut-plan-will-provide-long-lasting-and-needed-relief
26 Mar, 2022
This article was republished from a press release distributed from Representative John Roth's office and can be found at: https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-roth-joins-legislature-in-approving-comprehensive-infrastructure-plan
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