Michigan residents would save around $9 a month by 2020 under a plan to improve energy efficiency. That’s according to analysis released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The group’s plan comes out less than a week before federal regulators are expected to unveil a new plan to drastically cut carbon emissions, which scientists believe contribute to climate change.
Analysis also found Michigan was poised to create nearly 7,000 direct jobs as a result of new standards to improve energy efficiency.
The Environmental Protection Agency will reportedly propose cutting carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants by 20%.
Michigan residents and businesses get more than half of their electricity from coal burning power plants.
But the EPA isn’t likely to tell states exactly how to cut carbon, and instead will likely give them flexibility to come up with their own policies.
“We’ve already really started that discussionand if we were to move forward with implementing these policies, Michigan would likely be in a great place to hit the goals that the EPA is going to lay out,” said Jack Schmitt, deputy director of Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
A workgroup in the state senate will begin crafting language to turn those polices into law next week.
