FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
CONTACT: Sarah Tresedder, sarah.tresedder@sierraclub.org, 906-869-4167
Sierra Club Applauds Royal Oak Climate Leadership
Royal Oak passes resolution supporting clean energy package; Sierra Club urges Royal Oak Representatives to do the same.
Royal Oak, MI - Last night, the Royal Oak City Commission passed a resolution supporting the clean energy climate package introduced into the State House and Senate earlier this year as well as legislation for community solar. The package, which includes bills that would bring 100% clean energy by 2035 to the state, improve energy waste reduction standards, and allow the Michigan Public Service Commission to consider climate impacts in their decision-making, is supported by environmental groups, businesses, and the Governor.
"Getting these renewable energy bills signed into law is essential for Royal Oak to meet its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals, especially the one requiring Michigan’s electric utilities to meet a renewable energy credit portfolio standard of 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. This resolution lets our state representatives and senators that we want these bills passed and signed into law as quickly as possible.” said Paul Vial, a Sierra Club volunteer and Royal Oak resident serving on the city’s environmental advisory board who drafted the resolution.
“We are pleased that our municipal governments are standing up in support of these crucial pieces of legislation. Just this past week, we have seen extreme weather that has resulted in flooding, lost power, and contaminated rivers and streams. This is not simply unlucky weather - these are the direct impacts of climate change, and we will continue to see more disastrous impacts if we don’t take action now.” said Sierra Club’s Legislative and Political Director Christy McGillivray, “Royal Oak’s support of this legislation should signal to our state lawmakers who represent the county that their constituents want clean energy now. We are hopeful that, as the legislature begins session again, we will see both chambers move quickly to pass these bills and get them on the Governor’s desk.”
“We have much to do as local governments to activate and protect our communities against extreme weather and climate change, which is an imperative. We must act now to protect the health, safety ,and property of our residents. This demands a substantial shift in the status quo, which requires legislation. These bills really strike at the heart of the things that need to be done on a statewide systemic level to achieve the kind of change that must happen. It is absolutely the right thing to do.” said Royal Oak Mayor Michael Fournier.
Read the full resolution here.
###
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters, 150,000 of which are in Michigan. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.