State Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield) today announced he is cosponsoring a plan to refocus Michigan’s energy policy on reliability and affordability, pushing back on agenda-driven mandates that have inflated costs and strained the state’s power grid. The plan was publicly unveiled during a press conference at the Capitol. The legislation would repeal the failed energy mandates enacted in 2023 that will require 100% of Michigan’s power to come from renewable sources and replace them with a framework that prioritizes dependable power and lower costs for Michigan families. “Michigan families deserve energy policy that keeps their lights on and bills affordable,” Frisbie said. “We cannot prioritize political slogans over reality. This plan restores a commonsense approach that puts reliability and the cost to ratepayers first.” The Mackinac Center for Public Policy released a study showing that the 2023 mandates passed by the Democrat trifecta could cost homeowners over $2,700 annually in additional electricity costs, as well as greatly increase the risks of power outages due to extra strain on the state’s electrical grid. Frisbie said the House Republican proposal will restore flexibility for utilities and prioritize grid performance, fuel security, and affordability for residents and businesses. The plan would: 

• Repeal the 2023 energy mandates that require utilities to pursue politically driven targets instead of prioritizing grid reliability and fuel security.
• Prohibit third-party advocacy organizations from being funded through utility rates paid by customers.
• Require full-cost accounting for all energy sources, including backup power and grid upgrades needed when demand cannot be met.
• Require the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve utility plans based on system reliability, peak-demand performance, and cost efficiency for ratepayers.
• Cut burdensome regulations by streamlining approval and cost recovery for investments that strengthen the grid.

 “Michigan families aren’t ATMs for a broken system,” Frisbie said. “Their utility bills should pay for power that works.”