Clean energy has become politically toxic for Michigan Republicans, but we all pay the price

In August of 2025, I wrote a guest editorial in the Michigan Advance lamenting how such a partisan divide had emerged in Michigan on the issue of support for clean energy solutions like energy efficiency and renewable energy. I described how back in 2008, legislation (PA 295) creating a requirement for our utilities to provide energy efficiency programs for customers and acquire certain amounts of renewable energy, passed with large majorities in both the Democratic-controlled Michigan House and the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate. Then again in 2016, with Republicans controlling both the state House and Senate, legislation (PA342) actually strengthening those requirements passed overwhelmingly and was signed by Republican Governor Rick Snyder. But sadly, this decade has seen a dramatic shift. When Michigan passed its expansion of those clean energy requirements in 2023 (PA235 to strengthen the renewable energy requirement and PA229 to strengthen the utility energy efficiency standard), as part of its notable ‘climate package’, not a single Republican voted in support of either of those pieces of legislation. Michigan House Republicans begin push to eliminate state’s clean energy standard Now, things have gotten even worse. Rather than merely opposing strengthening clean energy requirements, Republicans, who now control the House, are seeking to repeal them completely. On a complete partisan divide (and with 40 Republican co-sponsors), on April 28th they passed out of the House Energy Committee proposed legislation (HB5710 and HB5711) that would entirely eliminate any requirements for utilities to provide energy efficiency programs, or acquire any amounts of renewable energy. Their stated rationale was to claim this would help reduce the high utility bills that customers are facing, a claim that is ridiculous since energy efficiency and renewable energy are proven resources that cost less than new power plants. Michigan’s energy efficiency programs since PA295 was enacted have literally saved ratepayers billions of dollars. In my earlier editorial I posed this key question: how on earth did the Republican Party shift so strongly from at least moderate support of energy efficiency and renewable energy to such virulent opposition? I can point to two key factors. First, and most important: Donald Trump. In his second term particularly, Trump has been flagrantly and vociferously anti-renewable energy and pro-fossil fuels. The Trump Administration has aggressively pursued truly shocking anti-environment and anti-clean energy policies, and unfortunately the Republican controlled House and Senate have provided zero resistance to those numerous attacks. (A detailed tracking of these attacks is provided here.) Given the total dominance of the Republican Party by Trump, it is perhaps unsurprising (albeit extremely disappointing) that the Michigan Republican Party has caved on this issue. Trump budget puts clean-energy spending in crosshairs A second intersecting factor has been the amped up political activity by fossil fuel companies, in support of politicians (almost exclusively Republican) who are pro-fossil fuels and against efforts to address climate change. Outside spending on political campaigns by the oil and gas industry has nearly tripled since 2020. As a result of these factors, the Michigan Republican Party unfortunately does not resemble that party of previous decades. Anyone who supports clean energy resources like energy efficiency and renewable energy — and is concerned about the future — might want to keep this partisan divide in mind when they vote in November. Independent Journalism for All From Detroit to Marquette, Michigan Advance helps keep you informed. If our reporting matters in your community, help keep it going by supporting us today.