As published on 1-21-24 in the Detroit News.

More than 172,000 homes and businesses across Michigan lost power last weekend, my house included. When the lights went out, I couldn’t help but panic. I recalled recent weather forecasts calling for a massive cold front projected to overtake the Midwest. How would my family stay warm without electricity, especially considering the temperature was supposed to sink below zero degrees?

Luckily, power was restored before things got too cold. In situations like these we can’t just applaud the lights coming back on. We must acknowledge the widespread deterioration that leads to outages in the first place.

Folks across our state don’t trust the electric grid, and I can’t blame them. Generators are inaccessible for many families, and their use is not green, safe, or affordable.  During outages like last weekend, I cannot imagine the fear experienced by young families with newborns or seniors who rely on electricity for medical equipment they need to survive. We got lucky this time, but how do we know the energy infrastructure will hold up next time?

Our energy infrastructure in Michigan is crumbling. We operate an electric grid that relies on power lines built in the mid-1900s, with some portions nearing 100 years old or older. Utility companies are updating older power lines and poles with newer, more reliable equipment. But the project won’t happen overnight, as it takes time and resources to complete. Experts say updated infrastructure is more reliable during severe storms, potentially limiting statewide outages.

Instead of prioritizing these infrastructure updates, the governor made her focus overhauling energy production. Last fall, Gov. Whitmer strong-armed green energy bills through the Legislature before signing the plan in late November. The package mandates 100% “clean” energy by 2040, shuttering many natural gas plants and forcing Michigan into an unhealthy relationship with shoddy and unreliable wind and solar power. The new mandates come alongside escalating concerns from everyday people facing rising rates and prolonged power outages.

Michigan energy policy needs refocusing. Instead of pumping resources into experimental technologies, we must focus on updating our aging infrastructure. People deserve a reliable energy grid, not one that fails every time a snowflake falls. Infrastructure updates are the first step toward reducing widespread outages and restoring public trust in the energy grid.

Folks are paying their taxes, but Lansing isn’t delivering. The green energy daydream completely overlooks the people who need relief right now. The amount of wind and solar energy produced in 2035 won’t matter without a quality electric grid. Most people don’t care if their electricity comes from a natural gas power plant or a solar panel. People deserve low bills and confidence that when the weather gets cold, and the storm clouds come in, they won’t be left freezing in their homes.