Public Media from Michigan State University

MI utilities, enviros plan for state's energy future

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Michigan is grappling with important questions relating to energy. Current State talks with Consumers Energy spokesman Dan Bishop and Sarah Mulkoff of the Michigan Environmental Council.

This summer, the Obama administration put America’s energy industry on notice. A new mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency requires the nation to cut carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants by nearly one-third by the year 2030. At the same time, many states, including Michigan, are trying to increase energy efficiency through renewable sources. In March, Gov. Rick Snyder said he would like to see Michigan achieve a 30 to 40 percent increase in renewable energy sources while reducing waste.

State lawmakers are presenting a host of bills that seek to meet these goals. The Snyder administration says Michigan will submit its compliance plan one year from now, in September 2016.

Current State speaks with Dan Bishop, director of media relations for Consumers Energy in Jackson, and Sarah Mulkoff, energy program director for the Michigan Environmental Council.

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Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.