Rep. Cam Cavitt remained staunchly opposed to House Democrats’ radical green energy plan as they rammed it through the House Thursday.

Cavitt expressed serious concerns with the plan that would cripple local government. The plan is contingent on circumventing local control by giving the Michigan Public Service Commission – a three-member board appointed by the governor – the sole authority to permit large solar and wind construction.

“House Democrats have proven they have no regard for the importance of local government,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “I’m confident the people best suited to consider wind and solar projects are local officials, not some unelected bureaucrats appointed by the governor.”

The Antrim Shale, a geographical formation with one of the largest deposits of natural gas in the United States, covers most of the 106th District in Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, and Alcona counties. These bills would make drilling natural gas out of the Antrim Shale practically unobtainable, throwing hundreds of jobs into doubt. Ceasing production would decimate Northeast Michigan’s economy and eliminate a major source of revenue for our local communities. 

“Democrats hope to achieve their radical green new deal by essentially sentencing natural gas production to death via expensive and unattainable requirements,” Cavitt said. “Democrats have rubberstamped mandates that will destroy business, end careers, and further harm Northeast Michigan families.”

Each of the bills were ultimately approved by the House along party lines. House Bills 5120-5123 now advance to the Senate for further consideration. Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502, the clean energy mandates, will soon be presented to the governor for her expected signature.

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