Rep. Dianda offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 32.  

            A resolution to request that the Michigan Public Service Commission conduct a feasibility study on creating a publicly funded integrated resource plan to meet the electric energy needs of the Upper Peninsula and report to the Legislature.

            Whereas, There is no current energy plan for the entire Upper Peninsula and little research regarding which energy system is best suited for the area. The Upper Peninsula is facing an energy crisis due in part to the lack of a plan that addresses extraneous circumstances affecting the ability of utility companies to provide reliable, affordable energy to consumers. Moreover, the Upper Peninsula’s current infrastructure and regulatory environment have contributed to residential ratepayers being burdened with some of the highest electricity rates in the country; and

Whereas, The future energy needs of the Upper Peninsula must be studied and addressed. A plan for providing affordable, reliable energy is critical for creating an environment of certainty in which manufacturing and mining operations can plan to locate and expand in the Upper Peninsula. Currently, the cost and scarcity of energy is a major impediment to attracting businesses to the region; and

Whereas, The costs and benefits of various energy replacement proposals need to be studied thoroughly and identified specifically in order to ensure maximum benefit to Michigan taxpayers and ratepayers. Transmission projects estimated to cost between $500 million to $1 billion have been proposed, with no solid evidence to suggest that this infrastructure would be a good investment for Upper Peninsula ratepayers. On the other hand, Michigan citizens also do not have a clear idea of how much various energy generation projects would cost; and

            Whereas, The retirement of the Presque Isle Power Plant located in Marquette, Michigan in 2020 presents an unprecedented opportunity to replace at least a portion of the plant’s 431 megawatt capacity with distributed generation using the Upper Peninsula’s many renewable resources, including woody biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar energy, in addition to efficiency measures like combined heat and power. Given high fuel costs, the rapid development of effective energy efficiency programs, increased opportunity for customer self-generation, and the unique geography of the Upper Peninsula, innovative approaches to energy generation may offer consumers greater freedom and cost savings than they currently experience; and

Whereas, The integrated resource planning process is ideal for addressing these issues. The purpose of an integrated resource plan is to meet energy objectives and customer energy needs in a manner consistent with the state’s energy policies and goals. A publicly funded integrated resource plan for the entire Upper Peninsula would identify the pros and cons of all available energy resources; better inform government officials, private interests, and customers as to the range and viability of energy options available; and be offered to the public for comment; and

Whereas, Energy customers should be the first concern when considering how to address the current energy crisis in the Upper Peninsula. The state of Michigan has an obligation to fully analyze how best to help customers conserve energy and provide them with the most information possible to ensure their long-term interests are met. An integrated resource plan would ensure a safe and reliable service for customers’ homes and businesses in the Upper Peninsula; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we request the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct a feasibility study on creating a publicly funded integrated resource plan to meet the electric energy needs of the Upper Peninsula and report its recommendation to the Legislature; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Board of Commissioners of the Michigan Public Service Commission.