Energy (Energy Resilience)

SB 916 updates Michigan's renewable energy requirements for electric providers by establishing a tiered portfolio standard that increases from 15% by 2029 to 60% by 2035. The bill allows providers to meet these targets through generating renewable energy, purchasing power, or acquiring renewable energy credits, with specific limits on the use of out-of-state credits. It also introduces financial incentives for providers entering into non-affiliate contracts for renewable energy or clean energy storage systems after June 30, 2024, and permits energy waste reduction credits to substitute for up to 10% of renewable energy requirements under certain conditions.

SB 732 creates a new program allowing Michigan customers with rooftop solar, batteries, or other on-site energy systems (called "behind-the-meter generators") to earn payments for providing grid services like reducing peak demand or improving reliability during outages. It requires the Michigan Public Service Commission to develop rules within a year, ensuring fair compensation based on actual grid value - covering costs like reduced infrastructure needs and enhanced resilience - while prohibiting utilities from owning these systems. The program directly affects residential and commercial customers with eligible energy systems, as well as third-party aggregators that manage multiple systems. Key provisions include standardized contracts, consumer protections, and rules preventing double-compensation for the same service.

SB 731 creates a new program to coordinate customer-owned energy resources like rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles to provide grid services. It directly affects homeowners with these systems, energy aggregators (companies that bundle customer resources), and electric utilities. The bill requires utilities to work with third-party aggregators during specific "program events" to manage distributed energy resources (such as solar panels or batteries) and demand response (like adjusting appliance use) to support grid reliability. Key mechanisms include defining terms like "aggregator" and establishing communication systems between utilities and these third parties. The program aims to integrate small-scale energy resources into grid operations without changing utility rates or renewable energy targets.

HB 4973 requires electric utilities in Michigan to automatically provide bill credits to customers experiencing power outages during a billing cycle. Residential customers receive credits ranging from $5 per hour for short outages up to $25 per hour for outages lasting 72+ hours, while nonresidential credits use a formula based on the customer's average hourly energy use. Credits apply to the next bill and carry forward if they exceed the current bill amount. The credits adjust every five years using the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation, as specified in the bill's Section 9g.

HB 4975 requires Michigan electric utilities to automatically provide residential customers with $100 credits on their bills if they experienced 4 or more power outages lasting over an hour in the past year, or $200 credits for more than 4 outages. The bill mandates these credits be applied without customer action, directly benefiting households with frequent service disruptions. Credits will adjust every five years based on inflation using the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index, with changes announced by June 1 each adjustment year. This policy change aims to compensate for unreliable service through automatic billing adjustments under Michigan's utility regulations.