Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Michigan

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for Michigan to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing CO2 emissions by 31 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway combines the CPP with strengthened renewable energy standards (RES) and energy efficiency resource standards (EERS). The analysis finds that this approach would result in 8,300 MW of new wind and solar capacity, $11.3 billion in clean energy investments, and $4.1 billion in public health and economic benefits by 2030. The report argues that this transition is cost-effective, with only a modest increase in average monthly household electricity bills (less than $3) compared to a scenario with no new policies.

• Michigan's specific target under the Clean Power Plan is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 31 percent below 2012 levels by 2030, which equates to an annual reduction of 21.8 million tons.
• The proposed "Clean Path Case" would lead to the installation of 8,300 MW of new wind and solar capacity in Michigan by 2030, stimulating approximately $11 billion in new capital investments.
• Implementing the Clean Path Case is projected to generate $4.1 billion in public health and economic benefits between 2016 and 2030 by reducing emissions of CO2, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
• A mass-based emissions trading program with auctioned allowances could generate an average of $428 million in annual revenue for Michigan from 2022 to 2030.
• The Clean Path Case is estimated to have a minimal impact on consumer costs, with a typical household's average monthly electricity bill increasing by 3.5 percent, or slightly less than $3, compared to the Reference Case.
• By 2030, the Clean Path Case would result in renewable energy resources supplying 32 percent of Michigan's electricity demand, with energy efficiency savings equaling 12.5 percent of total electricity sales.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2016). Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Michigan. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/04/clean-power-plan-michigan.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Michigan. 2016. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/04/clean-power-plan-michigan.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Michigan |date=March 2016 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/04/clean-power-plan-michigan.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2016meeting, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Meeting the Clean Power Plan in Michigan}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/04/clean-power-plan-michigan.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }