Whether from advocates, lawmakers or industry leaders, the message was the same at Tuesday evening's town hall: pointless restrictions on who can use solar energy must end.

Panelists of the event hosted by the Michigan Environmental Council and Michigan United each encouraged the passage of House Bill 4236. The bill, sponsored by 10 Republicans and three Democrats, would lift the cap on distributed generation. This would allow anyone to generate energy, like solar, on their business or property and get credit for any excess energy they send back to the grid.

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the Michigan COVID Recovery Plan. Included was a commitment to a clean energy jobs training program. Michigan Environmental Council President/CEO Conan Smith issued the following statement in response:

“Gov. Whitmer’s commitment to train Michiganders for clean energy jobs is just what we need during a pandemic that has left many people unemployed, many others underemployed and an economy struggling. What’s more, Gov. Whitmer’s decision was grounded in environmental justice. The training program will provide good, secure jobs to those that have long been systematically gatekept from them, and it is in tandem with her commitment to statewide carbon neutrality by 2050. Both results will make Michigan and its residents healthier and more resilient.”

During its Tuesday session, the Michigan Senate Energy Committee continued to delay urgently needed action that ensures small-scale solar has a future in Michigan.

The Committee unanimously approved two resolutions encouraging the Michigan Public Service Commission to undertake studies on integrating resident-owned generation options - such as rooftop solar - into the electric grid. 

The resolutions, however, do nothing to lift the cap Michigan currently has on small-scale solar, said Charlotte Jameson, program director at Michigan Environmental Council.