Environment

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6247: Environmental protection: air pollution; regulation of carbon sequestration; provide for.

HB 6247 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework in Michigan for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide, requiring operators to obtain permits from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that align with federal standards. The bill authorizes the leasing of state-owned lands and pore space for these projects, while permitting specific surface activities on commercial forestland and wilderness areas under strict conditions to protect natural resources. It creates a unitization process to manage shared subsurface interests among multiple property owners and mandates long-term monitoring of storage sites for at least 50 years after injection ceases. Upon successful completion and verification of site safety, the state assumes ownership and liability for the stored carbon dioxide, releasing the original operator from future regulatory responsibilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill regulates carbon sequestration to reduce air pollution and mandates strict conditions to protect natural resources during storage operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 26, 2026

HR 348: A resolution to urge the Director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to reexamine the current state of non-attainment in West Michigan.

This House resolution urges the EPA Director to reexamine air quality non-attainment designations in West Michigan, specifically including Allegan County. It argues that current federal standards fail to account for pollution originating from urban areas across Lake Michigan, such as Chicago and Milwaukee, which affects local communities not responsible for those emissions. The text notes that these designations restrict manufacturing expansion and economic development in the region. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the EPA Administrator.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill urges EPA to reexamine air quality designations that restrict manufacturing and economic development, implying a desire to weaken environmental enforcement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6251: Businesses: other; energy infrastructure and thermal management evaluation requirements for certain data centers; provide for.

Michigan House Bill 6251 requires developers and operators of large-scale data centers to submit a detailed energy infrastructure and thermal management evaluation to the state public service commission before beginning construction, expansion, or major modifications. A facility is considered large-scale if it has an aggregate critical information technology load of at least 25 megawatts or a total electrical demand of at least 50 megawatts, including phased developments that collectively meet these thresholds. The evaluation must be prepared by a qualified professional and include specific data on anticipated power usage, cooling systems, water consumption, and potential impacts on local infrastructure, with copies required to be filed with affected local governments and electric providers. Developers must pay a review fee and face civil fines of up to $10,000 per day for violations, while the commission is granted authority to issue certificates of completeness that expire after 24 months unless updated or extended.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy and thermal management evaluations for large data centers, promoting efficient resource use and infrastructure planning.65% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6264: Businesses: other; clean and renewable energy requirements for data centers; provide for.

Michigan House Bill 6264, titled the "data center energy standards act," requires owners and operators of data centers in the state to source 100% of their annual energy use from clean or renewable sources by January 1, 2040. The bill allows facilities to meet this requirement through on-site generation, power purchase agreements, or other energy instruments approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. Violations of these standards are subject to civil fines of up to $10,000 per day, which must be deposited into the state's general fund. This legislation only takes effect if seven companion bills from the 103rd Legislature are also enacted into law.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill mandates that data centers source 100% of their energy from clean or renewable sources by 2040, directly advancing renewable energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 100% clean or renewable energy for data centers by 2040, directly advancing climate change mitigation and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6266: Public utilities: other; development of clean technologies accelerator tariff; require.

This Michigan bill requires electric providers to offer a voluntary green pricing program that allows customers to choose how much of their electricity comes from renewable sources. It mandates that regulated utilities create a specific "clean technologies accelerator tariff" for commercial and industrial participants, ensuring these businesses directly pay for the renewable energy they procure rather than spreading those costs across all ratepayers. The legislation also protects customers who source at least half of their power through the program from paying certain compliance surcharges and requires providers to notify other participants about additional fees. The bill only takes effect if seven related companion bills are also enacted into law.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates green pricing programs and a clean technologies accelerator tariff to facilitate renewable energy procurement for commercial customers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates renewable energy procurement and creates a tariff for clean technologies, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates clean technology tariffs and renewable energy options, directly advancing the development of green tech infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6265: Businesses: other; water and electricity usage reporting requirements for data centers; provide for.

Michigan's HB 6265 requires owners and operators of data centers to submit annual reports to the state public service commission detailing their total water and electricity consumption, along with the sources of that water and the percentage of electricity derived from renewable energy. These reporting obligations begin on March 1, 2028, and if the commission finds a submitted report inaccurate or incomplete, it must notify the operator to file corrected information within 30 days. The bill authorizes civil fines of up to $10,000 for each day a violation continues, with collected penalties deposited into the state general fund. This legislation only takes effect if several other specific bills from the current legislative session are also enacted into law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates reporting on renewable energy usage and water consumption for data centers, promoting transparency in resource management.75% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Aug 25, 2026

HB 6231: Military affairs: other; Camp Grayling improvement fund; establish. Amends 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.501 - 32.851) by adding secs. 388a, 388b, 388c, 388d, 388e & 388f.

Michigan House Bill 6231 creates a dedicated Camp Grayling Improvement Fund within the state treasury to finance upgrades, maintenance, and environmental remediation at the military training center. The fund is financed by facility revenue generated from leasing, licensing, and operating the camp, as well as gifts and grants, with all unspent money rolling over to future years rather than lapsing. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is granted broad authority to collect these fees, enter into leases and contracts for goods and services, and manage projects subject to specific procurement rules and federal cooperative agreements. To ensure transparency, the department must submit an annual report detailing fund deposits, expenditures, and project status to state legislative leaders and post it on their website. The bill also clarifies that these activities are considered governmental functions under Michigan law, preserving existing sovereign immunity protections while leaving public access rights on adjacent state forest lands unchanged.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill explicitly funds environmental remediation at Camp Grayling, directly advancing pollution control and site cleanup efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6281: Transportation: motor fuel tax; areas requiring certain vapor pressure; modify. Amends secs. 3 & 10d of 1984 PA 44 (MCL 290.643 & 290.650d).

Michigan House Bill 6281 amends the Motor Fuels Quality Act to update regulations for gasoline and diesel fuel sold in the state. The bill directs the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to establish specific standards for fuel purity, additives, and octane ratings, while mandating a vapor pressure limit of 9.0 psi for most retail outlets during the summer months from June 1 to September 15. It also clarifies that certain counties with stricter air quality requirements must continue using lower vapor pressure fuels of 7.0 or 7.8 psi unless federal and state agencies determine those standards are no longer necessary. Additionally, the legislation permits the year-round sale of E15 fuel, which contains 10.5% to 15% ethanol, provided that dispensing pumps are clearly labeled in accordance with federal law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates vapor pressure limits for fuels to reduce emissions and directs the Department of Environment to set purity standards, supporting air quality protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 1, 2026

HB 6143: Natural resources: Great Lakes; regulations regarding crib docks in the Les Cheneaux Islands; prohibit Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding secs. 32509a & 32509b & provides for a referendum.

This bill proposes changes to Michigan's natural resources laws to allow for the construction of traditional timber crib docks and boathouses in the Les Cheneaux Islands, provided they are built from natural wood and stone and approved by local zoning authorities. Under the new rules, permits would be granted only if these structures do not extend beyond the owner's shoreline or create navigational hazards, while also requiring the state to reject denials based on generalized environmental assumptions without specific evidence. The legislation includes a mandatory referendum in Clark Township, meaning the changes will only take effect if a majority of voters in that area approve them at an upcoming election.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill permits construction of docks and boathouses, potentially weakening environmental protections by allowing structures in the Great Lakes that could impact waterways and habitats.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Forestry

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 6160: Environmental protection: recycling and waste utilization; recycling of single-use and rechargeable batteries; provide for. Amends heading of pt. 171 & secs. 17101, 17104, 17105b & 17107 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.17101 et seq.); designates secs. 17101 - 17109 as subpt.1 of pt. 171; adds subpt. 2 to pt. 171 & repeals sec. 17105c of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.17105c). TIE BAR WITH: HB 6159'26

This bill amends Michigan's environmental laws to strengthen regulations on the recycling and disposal of single-use and rechargeable batteries. It establishes a new "battery stewardship" program that will require producers to manage the end-of-life disposal of covered batteries starting in 2028, ensuring they are handled through approved programs rather than general waste. The legislation also sets a sales ban on certain covered batteries beginning in 2028, allowing only those from manufacturers with approved stewardship plans to be sold. Additionally, the bill updates existing definitions and penalties for improper battery disposal while creating a formal process for producers to submit and have their disposal plans reviewed by the state department.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens recycling regulations and establishes a battery stewardship program to reduce pollution and conserve resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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