House approves statewide restructuring of energy policy, refocus on reliability and affordability

State Rep. Karl Bohnak today cast a key vote to secure the House passage of significant energy policy reform that refocuses state regulators on reliability and affordability. The House energy legislation aligns with Bohnak’s own plan to keep the Upper Peninsula’s 13 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators operational through the end of their lifecycle in 2049.

“Safeguarding reliable and affordable energy for the U.P., and across our state is one of the most important ways we can support hardworking families and communities throughout Michigan,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “People from Marquette to Munising to Norway all share significant concerns about rising energy bills. The plan the House passed today tackles that issue head on. For too long, state regulators have been distracted by political priorities instead of the things that matter like affordability and reliability. The House energy plan gets rid of the nonsense and ensures state regulators are only worried about keeping lights on and bills low when making energy decisions.”

The House Republican energy plan overhauls the decision-making process behind Michigan’s energy regulation. The plan prioritizes reliability and affordability, laying out a clear path to strengthen the grid and lower costs by prioritizing proven energy production. The bills would roll back dozens of outdated laws, obscure requirements, and failed mandates that have stalled new construction, streamlining approvals and removing politics from energy production.

The House plan aligns with Bohnak’s RICE generator protection plan – House Bills 4007 and 4283 – which has been stuck in the state Senate for more than a year. The RICE generators were built to stabilize the U.P.’s energy grid following the decommissioning of the Presque Isle and Shiras coal power plants in 2019. Since the RICE generators came online, the U.P. has reduced its CO2 emissions by more than 70%. If the RICE generators are shut down early, U.P. ratepayers face significant monthly bill increases – $80 for residential properties and more than $470,000 for large industrial facilities – in addition to normal energy bills.

“Both our broader House energy plan and my RICE generator protection plan put the utmost focus on reliability and affordability,” Bohnak said. “Families don’t have the time or money for political nonsense right now; they need energy they can count on that won’t break the bank.”

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