Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Seen Friday at a ribbon cutting for Great Lakes Sound and Vibration is among Republicans looking to repeal a clean energy bill.

LANSING — Last week, Michigan House Republicans announced their commitment to repealing the 2023 law requiring utility providers to run 100% on “clean energy” by 2040.

In 2023, Michigan lawmakers passed legislation, along party lines, requiring the state to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

In Aug. 2025, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy published a report, which said the projected cost to implement this new mandate is as high as $386 billion, which will come from higher utility bills.

“Virtually everyone – all households and businesses that purchase electricity – will be stuck with a hefty bill,” the report says.

The average residential electricity bill cost Michiganders approximately $117 per month in 2022, the center reported. The mandate could add another $228 per month to that bill by 2035.

While advocates of the green energy mandate claim using more renewable energy sources like wind and solar will reduce energy bills, the Mackinac Center disputes this claim.

The report states that attempting to achieve the net-zero targets found in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “MI Healthy Climate Plan” would result in drastic increases in electricity rates. Rate increases like these would seriously harm Michigan families and businesses. Gov. Whitmer’s net-zero mandates would reduce the reliability of Michigan’s electric grid, potentially leaving Michigan residents cold and in the dark for as long as 61 continuous hours during January and February.

State Representative Greg Markkanen, also disputes the claims that green energy will lower utility costs.

“I’m getting emails from the other side thinking green energy, wind and solar, is going to lower our utility costs,” he said. “That’s just not true, and you know it’s not true.”

According to the Detroit News, Michigan already ranks in the top 10 for highest electricity costs in the nation, with rates increasing substantially over the past 20 years.

An article published last Wednesday on the Small Business Association of Michigan says in 2024, $2,135,371 in grants were distributed among the Michigan Environmental Council, the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, Soulardarity, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and the Michigan Municipal Association for Utility Issues according to theUtility Consumers Participation Board (UCPB)’s 2024 report. The report showed that the groups saved customers $598 million in 2024 through their direct advocacy.

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), the SBAM article says, sees these entities as using ratepayer money to promote a social position. “They’re all using social and environmental justice,” Hall is quoted as saying “They’re not focused on lowering your rates one bit. These guys, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. They’re formed to expand clean, renewable energy in solar and wind. That’s what all of these groups are. They tell you that these groups are fighting to lower your rates. They’re not fighting to lower rates. They’re getting paid by you to force wind and solar on you, which is raising your rates, which is why we’re going to get rid of them.”

Markkanen said if the green energy package laws are not repealed, it will not save the U.P. money, it will cost Marquette County millions of dollars in lost taxes and revenue. He cited the current dispute over the RICE (Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine) bills in Marquette and Baraga counties.

“Cleveland Cliffs has a nine-month stay on (stopping the engines), but we don’t get a deal with that, CCI has said on no uncertain terms, they will leave Marquette County. Their energy costs will be so astronomical that they just can’t make a profit, and they will take all their workers with them.”

Markkanen, however, does not believe the initiative to repeal the green package will succeed. The governor, he said, will not sign it, and the Senate will not support it.