6/29/2023 0 Comments Carbon health hillsdaleMichigan has cut power sector emissions 14% since 2005, but estimates it must reduce the sector’s carbon intensity 80% by 2030 relative to 2005 to be on track for the 2050 carbon neutrality target. Strengthening statewide climate policy starts with electricity. Retiring coal while avoiding a rush to gas Transportation alternatives are also provided via new public transit, “last mile” options, and biking infrastructure investments.īut by design, the MI Healthy Climate Plan leaves many details undefined, and this is where it could become a truly transformative blueprint for climate action. The plan also devotes funding to transition workers and communities economically dependent upon existing coal plants, while helping residents access clean energy careers through expanded workforce development, job training, and apprenticeship programs. Dedicating at least 40% of all climate investments toward vulnerable communities will ensure Michigan’s frontline communities suffering the worst climate change and pollution impacts will have resources to build a resilient future. This clean energy transition will generate decades of investment, which the MI Healthy Climate Plan directs toward a just transition for all its citizens. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM's assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM's second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups. This is the single largest investment announcement in GM history. General Motors will create 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000, and significantly increasing battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity. billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites during an event on Januin Lansing, Michigan. Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer of General Motors announces an investment of more than $7. Ford is investing $30 billion in EVs by 2030, and the Chrysler brand will only sell EVs by 2028. GM will only sell ZEVs by 2035, and just announced a $7 billion investment to expand EV production in the state. Michigan’s electrified transportation aspirations could pay dividends on Detroit’s EV investments as local demand spurs local sales. Installing charging infrastructure to support 2 million EVs by 2030 will pave the way to the state’s goal of 50% new light-duty vehicle and 30% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales being electric by 2030, along with transitioning the state-owned fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2045. The plan’s transportation targets create economic upside for Michigan’s largest employer, the auto industry, which is already transitioning toward EVs. Nearly every existing coal plant statewide costs more to operate than replacement with new local wind or solar, and the two outlier plants were only 14% to 15% cheaper than in-state renewables, meaning they will likely soon lose their cost competitiveness. Michigan’s coal transition aspirations match a statewide trend: Only one existing coal plant is slated to still be operational after 2028, while one other existing plant’s power purchase agreement with Consumers expires in 2025. DTE Energy is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, Consumers Energy is targeting zero coal by 2025 and net zero by 2040, and four other smaller utilities are targeting 80% to 100% emissions reductions by 2050. These goals pair well with Michigan’s utilities. In addition to cutting power sector emissions by closing all coal plants in 2035 and reaching 50% renewables in 2030, the plan directs all state facilities to use 100% in-state renewables by 2025 and reduce energy use in state facilities 40% by 2040. Clean power and electric vehicles create economic upside through a just transition
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