Lawmakers scramble to pass legislation that could derail 2040 energy goals: ‘It’s a nightmare’

Michigan lawmakers are on the verge of passing a bill that environmentalists say will undermine the state’s climate goals, the Guardian reports.

What’s going on?

The publication explains that Michigan has a climate law that requires the state to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2040. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are poised to pass legislation that would offer tax incentives to attract large tech data centers — major consumers of water and electricity — to the state.

The climate bill, set to be passed in November 2023, has a built-in safety net that would keep oil and coal-fired power plants running if renewables can’t keep up with the grid load, according to the Guardian. Because data centers use so much energy, environmentalists say it would trigger the exemption, undermining the state’s renewables goal.

Why are these bills important?

Opponents fear that if the bills are passed in their current form, utility rates for residents could rise as they would be forced to subsidize technology companies’ electricity use and infrastructure expansion.

Additionally, these data centers would draw millions of gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan, which supplies 95% of the country’s fresh water.

Environmentalists also fear they could completely undermine Michigan’s climate goals. Similar facilities have already had that effect in Virginia, according to the Guardian.

The publication added that data centers consume 50% more energy than typical office buildings, making them a major threat when it comes to planet-warming pollution. As our world continues to overheat, we will experience devastating impacts, such as increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters that threaten communities and food security.

“These (bills) are clearly a nightmare because they use so much energy and water that without mandatory ratepayer protections and safeguards requiring the expansion of renewable energy sources, we won’t be able to reduce emissions the way we want to,” Christy McGillivray, legislative director of the Sierra Club of Michigan, told The Guardian.

What is being done about dirty energy?

Opponents of the bill say several minor changes would ease their concerns, and negotiations are underway. They include requiring tech companies to use renewable energy sources, taxpayer protections and provisions for evaporative cooling, which requires huge amounts of water.

Either way, it’s important to continue to move away from dirty energy sources like coal, oil, and gas. Fortunately, communities around the world are taking notice. For example, cities in rural Virginia are creating more than a million new jobs by focusing on clean energy instead of coal, Tokyo is requiring most new buildings to have solar panels, and Wales is banning most new road projects to reduce carbon pollution.

You can reduce your carbon footprint by making changes to your home. Unplugging energy vampires and switching to LED light bulbs are easy ways to save energy and lower your monthly bills. You can also take advantage of community solar programs that don’t require you to invest in your own panels.

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