Sierra Club Report: Transforming MI Transportation System - Michigan Chapter Update - 3.6.22
March 6, 2022
Michigan Chapter Update - March 6, 2022
In This Edition:
New Sierra Club Report: Transforming Michigan’s Transportation System
ACT: Thousands Urge Consumers Energy to Commit to Clean Energy
ACT: MPSC Collecting Public Comments on Proposed Line 5 Tunnel
Path to a Carbon-Free Future, Part 2: The Case Against Nuclear Power
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Political Internship Accepting Applications for Summer and Fall 2022
March Into Spring With Support for Sierra Club
Explore and Enjoy: Detroit Outdoors Travels to Munising Ice Fest
Sierra Club's report finds that dramatically increased electric vehicle (EV) sales and redesigning communities to favor pedestrians and public transit is critical to meet Michigan's 2050 climate goals. EV charging station in Detroit (l) and pedestrian friendly intersection in Ann Arbor (r). Photos by Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign.
New Sierra Club Report: Transforming Michigan’s Transportation System
The Sierra Club released a report using independent modeling from Synapse Energy Economics showing what Michigan stands to gain from going beyond the gas-powered status quo and pursuing a clean transportation system.
The state's current trajectory does not align with the 2050 climate goals as laid out by Governor Whitmer. In order for Michigan to achieve a decarbonized transportation system, the state needs to have at least 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2035 and a 7.5% reduction in vehicle miles traveled (per vehicle) to get there. Reducing the need to drive will require refashioning communities so bikers, pedestrians and public transit users can easily and safely move around. There is also a need to ensure that public transit should be located next to affordable housing. The newly released report contains these major findings and several more.
“Despite being home to the nation’s auto industry, Michigan has work to do to transform its transportation sector on the scale needed to hit our climate goals and protect residents from tailpipe pollution,” said Tim Minotas, legislative and political coordinator for Sierra Club Michigan. “This report shows that Michigan must pull a variety of policy levers to reduce transportation emissions, from phasing out sales of gas-powered vehicles to improving and expanding public transit and making walking and biking safer. But we need to start pulling those levers now to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis and protect the health of all Michiganders.”
Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell coal-burning power plant is slated to shut down in 2025, however the utility is considering replacing it with fossil gas burning plants instead of clean, renewable energy. Sierra Club file photo.
ACT: Thousands Urge Consumers Energy to Commit to Clean Energy
On February 23, a broad coalition of organizations including the Sierra Club submitted more than 2,500 public comments to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on Consumers Energy's proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The IRP is used to predict the utility customers' energy needs and how the company plans to invest in renewable sources of power during the next 15 to 20 years. The coalition hosted a virtual press conference featuring environmental justice, public health and faith leaders from across the state to announce their efforts and urge more public input.
More than 900 of the comments on the IRP to date have been submitted by Sierra Club members and supporters. For those who haven’t yet submitted public comments, click the button below to tell the MPSC and Consumers Energy how important it is for Michigan's largest electric utility to ramp up their commitment to clean, renewable energy.
Thousands of utility customers and coalition members are calling for Consumers Energy to retire the J.H. Campbell coal plant by 2025 and reject current plans to replace it with fossil gas plants. The urgency to move off fossil fuels is growing as the window of opportunity to stave off the worst impacts of climate change is rapidly closing. Michigan’s utilities need to commit to 100% clean energy for the Great Lakes state to protect the health of all communities and to fight climate disruption.
To get involved in Sierra Club’s local energy advocacy work or get questions answered contact Mike Berkowitz at mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org or Jan O’Connell at 616-956-6646.
ACT: MPSC Collecting Public Comments on Proposed Line 5 Tunnel
For the last year, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has heard testimony, cross-examinations and briefs by those for and against the proposed Enbridge Line 5 tunnel. Testimony in the case will be complete by mid-March, with a permitting decision coming soon after.
The public has two additional opportunities to impact the MPSC ruling:
Written comments on the case can be submitted no later than March 11.
Public comments will be heard by the three MPSC members on March 17 and a strong turnout with public comments opposing the tunnel will be critical in order to win this case. Join Sierra Club and many others in Lansing at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 17 to provide public comments. Click here to RSVP.
The MPSC is one of three agencies that will determine the fate of a Line 5 tunnel. The others include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement before arriving at a permitting decision and the Department of Great Lakes, Environment and Energy, which granted a tunnel permit in early 2021.
Line 5 remains a ticking time bomb for the Great Lakes. Contact Julie Geisinger at julie.geisinger@sierraclub.org to stay up to date on the fight to shut down Line 5 or to get more involved.
Nuclear power is not a viable option for a carbon-free future. Palisades Nuclear Power Plant on Lake Michigan near Covert, MI. Photo from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Path to a Carbon-Free Future, Part 2: The Case Against Nuclear Power
A recent research paper published by Professor Mark Jacobson of Stanford University has found that a carbon-free energy future does not require nuclear power. He points out that the first demonstration project of so-called advanced nuclear power will not be completed for at least seven years. Jacobson has also identified seven reasons why nuclear is not the answer to solve the climate crisis in this April 2021 article.
Nuclear power also has a history of taking longer to complete than planned and the projects are often over budget. Dangerous pollution from these facilities poses a particular concern. An Associated Press investigation found that “radioactive tritium has leaked from three-quarters of U.S.commercial nuclear power sites, often into groundwater.”
The Sierra Club opposes the use of nuclear energy because of reactor safety issues, citing three major nuclear power plant accidents. The organization’s policies also speak to the possibility of nuclear proliferation and unresolved issues with long-term storage.
Jacobson's work advocating for solar and wind power is relevant to current legislative issues in Michigan. According to his model, on average 20% of electricity to be generated in each state needs to come from rooftop solar. Currently in Michigan, rooftop solar is capped at 1%. House Bill (HB) 4236 would lift this cap, but it is stuck in committee. In addition HBs 4715-4716 would facilitate expanded community solar and allow access for those who normally cannot acquire solar.
Click the button below to urge Michigan House Energy Committee members to support renewable energy in Michigan by removing the cap on solar. Comments can be sent to Mike Buza at theoriginalzuba@yahoo.com.
Sierra Club intern training 2018. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Political Internship Accepting Applications for Summer and Fall 2022
The Sierra Club is one of the nation’s oldest environmental organizations, working on a variety of environmental issues across the country. The Club works on issue-based campaigns and also has active participation in political campaigns, including working to get environmental champions elected to all levels of government.
Every election cycle, the Sierra Club recruits and trains college-aged students around Michigan to become political interns on endorsed federal, state and local races. The program is beneficial for all involved. Talented staff and volunteer leaders provide interns the training they need to become effective political organizers while also bringing them into the environmental community. At the same time, candidates are provided passionate and energetic student interns who have the additional support of a statewide organization.
The Michigan Chapter is currently looking for interns to take part in our 2022 Political Internship Program for either the summer or fall. The internship description can be found here.
Mallard drake taking flight. Photo U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
March Into Spring With Support for Sierra Club
The month of March brings the spring equinox, March Madness, the Ides of March and the Michigan Sierra Club March Appeal. What is the Sierra Club March Appeal? The month of March and the end of the year are the only two dedicated times the Michigan Chapter can ask all Sierra Club members for direct support through the U.S. mail.
Sierra Club members and supporters know the Chapter doesn't shy away from the long, hard fights: stopping the flow of oil through the aging Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline, moving Michigan beyond fossil fuels and toward clean energy, safeguarding the Great Lakes, growing political power in Michigan and protecting the state's forests and wild places.
Keep an eye out for the duck taking flight on the March Appeal envelope in the mailbox soon. Every dollar contributed in response to this appeal will stay in Michigan and support Sierra Club's fight for a better Michigan future.
Gifts can also be made right now by going to the donate button below. The donation form also provides a link to a tax-deductible gift option if that is preferred.
Detroit Outdoors supported the Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (BOAT) to take participants to the Michigan Ice Fest in Munising in February. Photo by Garrett Dempsey.
Explore and Enjoy: Detroit Outdoors Travels to Munising Ice Fest
Thirty adventurous souls from Detroit, along with some friends from across the country, rode on the Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (BOAT) to the Michigan Ice Fest in Munising last month. The Sierra Club supported this Detroit Outdoors collaborative effort to connect Detroiters of all ages to a wintery UP adventure in and around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
The Yooper red carpet (with black checkered pattern) was rolled out for the group with Downwind Sports hosting an Introduction to Ice Climbing Course for People of Color and Blackrocks Brewery sent down a keg of Grand Rabbits ale for an Aprés Climb reception. There was lots of beautiful snow and ice for everyone. Read a little more about the trip in Planet Detroit.
