In a statement on Friday, March 13, 2015, Michigan’s governor Snyder pressed for targets for renewable energy that will exceed former governor Jennifer Granholm’s targets of 25% renewable energy by 2025. Snyder’s goal is 30 to 40 percent renewable energy, coupled with waste elimination by 2025.

He declared, “Decisions we make in the coming years will keep energy more affordable and available through a variety of sources while we continue being good stewards of our lakes, air, and land,” Snyder said. “We also must ensure that Michigan — not Washington, D.C. – will determine how we move forward, transitioning from the sources of yesterday to newer, cleaner methods.”

When speaking on March 13th at the Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center in Warren, Snyder said the state has an energy capacity problem, in part because 10 coal power plants will be retired in the coming years. This comes as our economy continues to grow and demand increases, making our infrastructure and natural assets even more important to our future.

The governor also called for significant changes to the way regulated utilities are allowed to account for waste reduction investments. He noted, “Right now, our law prevents utilities from spending more than 2 percent of their budget on waste reductions, even if that forces them to buy expensive equipment.”

Its unclear what impact this will have on the current debate now happening in Huron County, Michigan on placing a moratorium on new Wind Turbine projects in the Upper Thumb.