U.S. Senator Gary Peters says Michigan could play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change.
Peters came to East Lansing for a forum on the financial costs of climate change.
He says, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, climate change has already cost tax payers $500 billion dollars.
But he says Michigan’s auto industry could help address the impact of a changing climate.
“From an engineering standpoint, we are likely to go all electric vehicles and that will have a significant contribution to reducing carbon in the atmosphere and will help us deal with the climate change crises," Peters said.
According to a report from Peters called "The Cost of Inaction,"Peters outlines why he doesn't think fighting climate change is a priority for the Trump administration.
A representative with the Trump administration responded to our request for comment via email.
"The Administration is committed to investing in the foundations for a cleaner energy future, while replacing overreaching regulations that would burden our economy," the email stated.
It went on to say the DOE budget has set aside $2.3 billion for "innovative, early-stage energy technology research that will advance nuclear and renewable energy, further develop carbon capture and storage, and reduce the carbon output from fossil fuels through greater efficiency in both generation and consumption."
The email added that "initiating a regulatory process to repeal and replace the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, for instance, helps EPA fulfil the Agency’s role in addressing carbon dioxide emissions from our nation’s power plants in a manner that is consistent with the Clean Air Act."