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Rep. Markkanen named MEECA’s ‘Public Official of the Year’
RELEASE|May 27, 2020

Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association recognizes legislator’s work

State Rep. Greg Markkanen today was named 2020 Public Official of the Year by the Michigan Energy Efficiency Contractors Association (MEECA).


Markkanen, of Hancock, serves on the House’s Energy Committee. He was recognized, in part, for introducing a plan that would “lift the cap” on solar – giving another energy choice to people in the Upper Peninsula and across the state.


The MEECA is a contractor-led trade association created to serve companies that design, recommend, install or evaluate energy efficiency solutions in Michigan’s residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings. Markkanen was presented the award today during a virtual award ceremony.


“Being recognized by the MEECA is a huge honor,” Markkanen said. “The high cost of energy is one of the most common concerns I hear about from the residents and business owners I serve here in the Western Upper Peninsula. That’s why I am committed to making reforms to our energy policies that improve the lives of Michigan families and better serve the many diverse industries in our state.”


Current state law allows electric utility companies to restrict the total number of energy customers who can participate in renewable energy efforts and receive credit on their utility bills for the energy their equipment generates – a practice known as distributed generation. UPPCO customers reached the 1 percent cap almost immediately after the law was enacted in 2016. During UPPCO’s recent settlement with the Michigan Public Service Commission, the utility company agreed to raise its cap to 2 percent, but the number of participants are already nearing that limit as well.


Markkanen’s legislation, House Bill 5145, would eliminate the arbitrary cap and allows any customer who meets certain interconnection and equipment requirements to participate.

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