How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets

Michigan can achieve 98 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions through existing clean energy policies, with the remainder achievable via better use of natural gas and coal plant efficiency. The state could further increase reductions by raising its renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, and potentially generate over $160 million annually through a market-based carbon pricing program.

• Michigan is capable of achieving 98 percent of the emission reductions required by its mass-based target under the Clean Power Plan using its current clean energy policies.
• To close the remaining emissions gap or exceed targets, Michigan can optimize existing infrastructure by increasing the utilization of combined cycle natural gas plants—which operated at less than 25 percent capacity in 2012—to 75 percent, and by implementing low- and no-cost operational improvements at coal plants.
• Michigan could nearly double its required emission reductions by increasing its renewable energy standard to 20 percent of sales by 2022 and raising its efficiency standard to 2 percent of sales starting in 2019.
• Implementing a market-based carbon pricing program with an interstate emissions allowance price of $10 per short ton could generate more than $160 million in annual revenue from out-of-state sources between 2022 and 2030, provided Michigan surpasses its targets.
• Energy efficiency investments in Michigan are highly cost-effective, with every dollar invested in current programs yielding an estimated $4 to $5 in savings for electricity customers.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets. https://www.wri.org/research/how-michigan-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets

Chicago

World Resources Institute. How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/how-michigan-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets |url=https://www.wri.org/research/how-michigan-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendhow, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/how-michigan-can-meet-its-clean-power-plan-targets}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }