MEC staff, allies appointed to Michigan Climate Solutions Council

Michigan’s people, places and economy are en route to being healthier and more resilient thanks in part to the Wednesday appointments of environmental champions to the state’s new Council on Climate Solutions.

The citizen-led group will formulate Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan and ensure it is justly implemented. The Plan will help Michigan fight off the worst of climate change by guiding it toward carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Among the Council’s appointees was Charlotte Jameson, program director for legislative affairs, drinking water and energy for the Michigan Environmental Council. She will serve as the Council’s co-chair of the buildings and housing workgroup.

"I am honored to have been selected to help craft a comprehensive plan tackling one of the biggest challenges facing Michigan today: the climate crisis," Jameson said. "I look forward to putting the deep policy expertise of Michigan Environmental Council to work in a new way. My colleagues and I will create equitable climate mitigation strategies that bring our state to carbon neutrality; create good-paying jobs; justly protect and invest in impacted communities; and improve the health of Michiganders, our air and our water."

“Charlotte has a keen sense for good policy that is bolstered by her ability to build coalitions that brings in experts and activists across the state,” said MEC President/CEO Conan Smith. “These traits have allowed her to effectively fight for fair utility rates and clean energy at the Capitol, and they will serve her well as she guides the Council on Climate Solutions.” 

Three environmental champions from two of MEC’s more than 70 member groups also joined the Council on Climate Solutions. Charles Griffith, climate and energy program director for The Ecology Center, will serve as the co-chair of the transportation workgroup. Kerry Duggan and Phil Roos, Michigan League of Conservation Voters board members, will serve as voting council members. 

"We're at a point where climate change regularly impacts normal everyday life,” said Smith. “This Council is an important and appropriate collection of people whose knowledge and experience can truly help our state understand and adapt to a world that is going to be inevitably different. I am grateful for their service, and proud that so many members of the MEC family are among their ranks."

Other environmental champions and allies of MEC were appointed to the Council, too: Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council VP Cory Connolly; Consumers Energy VP Brandon Hofmeister; US Climate Action Network board member Marnese Jackson; 5LakesEnergy partner Douglas Jester; Sierra Club environmental justice organizer Justin Onwenu; and Natural Resources Defense Council clean energy advocate Derrell Slaughter.

By Beau Brockett Jr.