Co-ops are involved in the process to get Michigan's energy options right.

On April 6, 2006, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm issued an executive directive calling for the development of a comprehensive energy plan for the state of Michigan. The governor’s directive follows earlier efforts by State Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, chairman of the Senate Technology and Energy Committee, to empanel a work group of interested stakeholders to develop a long-range energy plan encompassing all forms of energy and fuels consumed in the state. A tall order, considering Michigan citizens and businesses consume an estimated $30 billion annually in oil, natural gas, propane, and electricity. And the costs continue to rise.

The governor’s announced “21st Century Energy Plan,” due by Dec. 31 this year, calls for the development of a comprehensive plan for meeting the state’s electric power needs, which the recent Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) Capacity Needs Forum report shows continue to grow and will require the addition of new generation capacity by 2009. According to the MPSC’s Web site, “the directive asks for recommendations to ensure the state can both reliably meet its growing electric needs and keep electric costs competitive.” For a state whose economy continues to lag the nation in job growth and leads in unemployment, staying cost-competitive is critical to our economic future.

Like Sen. Patterson’s initiative, the 21st Century Energy Plan is to be developed in cooperation with representatives from the public and private sectors, including the directors of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and other appropriate state departments.

The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA), on behalf of the state’s electric cooperatives and the members they serve, participated in Sen. Patterson’s initiative and will play an active role in the development of the governor’s plan, as well. Just as our mission to you is to deliver reliable and affordable energy, MECA’s objectives in participating in the development of an energy plan will be to ensure the plan promotes a stable and affordable power supply for the future.

Yes, renewable energy, conservation, and energy efficiency will play a vital role in keeping the lights on, but so will clean coal technologies and, perhaps, even nuclear energy. With Michigan’s demand continuing to grow at 2 percent per year, or about 400 to 500 megawatts—the approximate size of a small coal-fired generating plant—no form of generation can be ignored.

Time is short, but we are encouraged by the governor’s initiative and that of Sen. Patterson to address Michigan’s energy future. You can read more about the 21st Century Energy Plan on the MPSC’s Web site.