4 Steps Michigan Can Take To Exceed Its Clean Power Plan Targets

Michigan is required by the U.S. EPA to reduce power sector emissions by 33 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. The document argues that by adhering to its energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, and by optimizing the use of natural gas and coal plants, the state can reduce emissions by 36 percent below 2012 levels by 2030, exceeding its target by 9 percent.

• The U.S. EPA requires Michigan to reduce power sector emissions by 33 percent below 2012 levels by 2030 under the Clean Power Plan. Michigan could exceed this target by 9 percent, reaching a 36 percent reduction, by implementing four specific steps: meeting its energy efficiency resource standard (1 percent annual electricity savings), meeting its renewable energy standard (10 percent of sales from renewable sources by 2015), increasing the utilization of existing natural gas plants to 75 percent capacity, and improving the operational efficiency of existing coal plants.
• Michigan's power plant emissions decreased by 17 percent between 2005 and 2012, driven by lower electricity demand and a shift toward renewables and natural gas. The state's renewable energy standard contributed to doubling renewable capacity from 2010 to 2013, adding nearly 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity, with recent long-term contracts for wind priced approximately 20 percent lower than the average cost of providing electricity in the state.
• Clean energy policies provide significant economic benefits to Michigan. Energy efficiency programs generated $1 billion in lifecycle savings in 2013, offering a return of $4-$5 in savings for every dollar invested. The renewable energy standard led to $3 billion in in-state investments. Additionally, by expanding these policies and selling surplus carbon credits to other states at an assumed price of $10 per short ton, Michigan could generate $160 million annually from 2022 to 2030.
• Michigan could nearly double its required emission reductions by increasing its renewable energy standard from 10 percent of sales in 2015 to 20 percent by 2022, and raising its efficiency standard from 1 percent to 2 percent starting in 2019.

APA

Gasper, R. (2016). 4 Steps Michigan Can Take To Exceed Its Clean Power Plan Targets. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/4-steps-michigan-can-take-exceed-its-clean-power-plan-targets

Chicago

Gasper, Rebecca. 4 Steps Michigan Can Take To Exceed Its Clean Power Plan Targets. World Resources Institute, 2016. https://www.wri.org/insights/4-steps-michigan-can-take-exceed-its-clean-power-plan-targets.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gasper |first1=Rebecca |title=4 Steps Michigan Can Take To Exceed Its Clean Power Plan Targets |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=5 January 2016 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/4-steps-michigan-can-take-exceed-its-clean-power-plan-targets |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gasper2016steps, author = {Gasper, Rebecca}, title = {{4 Steps Michigan Can Take To Exceed Its Clean Power Plan Targets}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2016}, month = jan, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/4-steps-michigan-can-take-exceed-its-clean-power-plan-targets}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }