State Rep. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township, released a statement Thursday, after more than 172,000 homes and businesses were left without power following a winter storm last weekend. These outages came hours before a cold front hit the Midwest, leaving many Michigan families freezing in the dark.

“We must invest in fixing our broken grid, not send tax dollars overseas to buy shoddy wind turbines and ineffective solar panels,” said Steele, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee. “The green energy game needs to stop so we can come together and invest in our infrastructure, improve our grid, and give our residents the relief they desperately need. Folks are paying their taxes, but Lansing isn’t delivering.”

Last fall, Gov. Gretchen 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 natural gas plants and forcing Michigan into an unhealthy relationship with unreliable wind and solar power. The new mandates come alongside rising concerns from everyday people facing rising rates and prolonged power outages.

“Michigan winters are tough enough, people shouldn’t have to worry about keeping the lights on and heating their homes during snowstorms and subzero temperatures,” Steele said. “People spent last weekend huddled together to keep warm. The status quo isn’t acceptable. Our mission needs to be improving affordability and reliability so we actually start putting people first.”

Rep. Steele encouraged people facing lingering power outages to reach out to her office at 517-373-1771 or [email protected]. More information on warming centers in Oakland County can be found here.

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