LS4A Report: Decentralizing Michigan’s Electric Grid Will Lower Energy Costs & Improve Reliability
(LANSING, Michigan) — Clean energy advocacy group Local Solar For All (LS4A) released ITS “Michigan Energy Recovery Plan” today that presents a four-point solution to deploy local solar and battery systems to improve the reliability of Michigan’s electric grid and lower energy costs. LS4A previously released a report in February outlining the staggering high cost of outages to Michigan consumers and businesses.
According to Local Solar for All, Michigan public policy creates barriers to achieving this future, or any scenario where energy consumers have the choice to adopt their own local clean energy solutions. Modest reforms contained in the Michigan Energy Recovery Plan could unlock grid improvements, increase consumer resiliency in the face of extreme weather, and lead to direct energy savings for Michiganders.”
“Given the current state of the Michigan electric grid, it is past due to re-think the reliance on a centralized, fossil fuel-dependent grid system,” said Robin Dutta, Campaign Director of LS4A. “If Michigan were to commit to a path of 100% clean energy, local solar and batteries could be part of a cost-effective plan. The modest reforms in our Michigan Energy Recovery Plan could unlock $15 billion in potential savings for all Michiganders.”
The Michigan Energy Recovery Plan highlights several Michigan solar success stories, including Ypsilanti-based Huron Ophthalmology, Michigan State University, and the Detroit non-profit Bridging Communities. They are part of the minority of energy consumers in the state who have been able to adopt solar, due to the current policy regime.
“These solar success case studies demonstrate how a decentralized electric grid can improve quality of life for communities – but these stories only scratch the surface of what is possible,” said Dutta. “If families and businesses build rooftop solar and battery storage or have the opportunity to subscribe to a community solar system, not only will they benefit directly with lower energy costs and back-up power, but that will create inherent benefits for the entire community.”
Dutta added that when privately-owned clean energy generators are adopted at a mainstream scale, it means that everybody’s electric grid can be improved using mostly private capital instead of multi-billion-dollar utility projects funded through consumers’ bills.
LS4A’s Energy Recovery Plan includes solutions to bridge the gap between Michigan’s current energy policies and an electric grid that meets people’s needs. This path can lower energy costs for all Michiganders, improve reliability, and create a new way to improve the electric grid.
1. Empower Michigan energy consumers by creating a statewide community solar program and repealing policies that preempt individual energy choices like the cap on customer-sited distributed generation.
2. Encourage clean back-up power options by creating a battery storage program to increase access and leverage grid benefits.
3. Ensure true clean energy access for low-income households by creating targeted incentives and financing programs.
4. Direct the Michigan Public Service Commission to create new reliability programs that allow private local solar and batteries to improve the electric grid.
“There is no need to wait for further technological advancements,” noted Dutta, “The time has never been better to put into practice a redesign towards a system that includes local, resilient electricity.”
Read the report here.
