Annual Report
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2016 Annual Report 602 W. Ionia Street • Lansing, Michigan 48933 (517) 487-9539 • www.environmentalcouncil.org 3 100% post-consumer recycled paper Cover Photo: John McCormick, Michigan Nut Photography From the PRESIDENT wo of the Michigan Environmental hire our first-ever agriculture policy TCouncil’s signature achievements director. That means we’ll have greater in 2016 made it clear that, as President capacity to promote state, local and Calvin Coolidge put it, “Nothing federal policies that support Michigan in this world can take the place of in growing a diverse abundance of persistence.” food while promoting the long-term James Clift, our policy director, well-being of our water, wildlife and spent five years doing everything he climate. We’ve long worked to make could to block a state plan to deregulate agriculture more sustainable, but this air emissions of 500 toxic chemicals. is the first time we’ve had a program At times, it looked like a lost cause. But dedicated solely to farm issues. James and MEC never let up, and in Generous financial support March, state officials announced they also made possible a new initiative were dropping the plan. launched in late 2016 to ensure Likewise, our tenacity was key in that families across Michigan enjoy achieving important clean energy safe, affordable drinking water. reforms in the final days of 2016. We’re reaching out to water experts, Lawmakers put forward some Chris Kolb, President community leaders and residents to worrisome proposals during more than learn about the challenges they face two years of negotiations, legislative and the resources they need to advance hearings and bill introductions. drinking water safety and affordability. (Remember the idea to count scrap tires and railroad ties as Their insights and ideas will guide our work in 2017 and “renewable” fuels?) But through it all, we never lost sight of beyond. You can expect a progress report on these new our goals for Michigan’s energy system: keep it affordable initiatives in our next annual report. and reliable, protect families and businesses from future price I won’t venture any bold predictions about the future—I spikes and minimize the impacts on human health and the threw my crystal ball in the recycling bin on November environment. By sticking with it until just hours before the 9, 2016—but here’s one you can take to the bank: With clock ran out on the legislative session, we played a major role your continued support, MEC will keep working with grit in passing laws that accomplish those goals. and persistence to achieve strong protections for Michigan Victories of this sort require huge amounts of research, families and a healthy environment. analysis and planning. Lots of strategy sessions. Countless pots Thank you for making our work possible. of coffee. Without donors like you, we simply would not have the resources it takes to win. We can’t thank you enough. Recognizing the vital role we play in the Capitol, MEC’s financial supporters in 2016 made it possible for us to 1 From the PRESIDENT wo of the Michigan Environmental hire our first-ever agriculture policy TCouncil’s signature achievements director. That means we’ll have greater in 2016 made it clear that, as President capacity to promote state, local and Calvin Coolidge put it, “Nothing federal policies that support Michigan in this world can take the place of in growing a diverse abundance of persistence.” food while promoting the long-term James Clift, our policy director, well-being of our water, wildlife and spent five years doing everything he climate. We’ve long worked to make could to block a state plan to deregulate agriculture more sustainable, but this air emissions of 500 toxic chemicals. is the first time we’ve had a program At times, it looked like a lost cause. But dedicated solely to farm issues. James and MEC never let up, and in Generous financial support March, state officials announced they also made possible a new initiative were dropping the plan. launched in late 2016 to ensure Likewise, our tenacity was key in that families across Michigan enjoy achieving important clean energy safe, affordable drinking water. reforms in the final days of 2016. We’re reaching out to water experts, Lawmakers put forward some Chris Kolb, President community leaders and residents to worrisome proposals during more than learn about the challenges they face two years of negotiations, legislative and the resources they need to advance hearings and bill introductions. drinking water safety and affordability. (Remember the idea to count scrap tires and railroad ties as Their insights and ideas will guide our work in 2017 and “renewable” fuels?) But through it all, we never lost sight of beyond. You can expect a progress report on these new our goals for Michigan’s energy system: keep it affordable initiatives in our next annual report. and reliable, protect families and businesses from future price I won’t venture any bold predictions about the future—I spikes and minimize the impacts on human health and the threw my crystal ball in the recycling bin on November environment. By sticking with it until just hours before the 9, 2016—but here’s one you can take to the bank: With clock ran out on the legislative session, we played a major role your continued support, MEC will keep working with grit in passing laws that accomplish those goals. and persistence to achieve strong protections for Michigan Victories of this sort require huge amounts of research, families and a healthy environment. analysis and planning. Lots of strategy sessions. Countless pots Thank you for making our work possible. of coffee. Without donors like you, we simply would not have the resources it takes to win. We can’t thank you enough. Recognizing the vital role we play in the Capitol, MEC’s financial supporters in 2016 made it possible for us to 1 POWERING CHANGE in Michigan’s Energy Policy t’s hard to overstate From the earliest Ihow important talks until the final energy policy is to votes were tallied, the health of our MEC was in the mix. environment, our We were asked to families and our serve on a Senate economy. Fortunately— energy work group throughout more than in 2014, shared two years of nonstop convincing legislative advocacy made possible testimony and by supporters like compelling media you—MEC played a messages in 2015, major role in achieving provided insights positive energy reforms and alternatives that became law throughout 2016 to in December. keep the bills moving Among other key Sarah Mullkoff, James Clift and Sean Hammond wait in the House in a productive provisions, the new laws: lobby as state representatives vote on a package of bills that ramp up direction and stayed at Michigan’s investment in clean energy. • Require utilities to the negotiating table ramp up their use of in the final hours renewable energy from their current level of 10 percent to before the bills passed. With your help, we were able to 12.5 percent by 2019, and 15 percent by 2021. turn back dangerous proposals—including a plan to scrap renewable energy and energy efficiency programs—and • Continue the requirement that utilities improve efficiency move Michigan forward. by at least 1 percent per year for electricity and .75 percent It was a big victory, but it doesn’t mean our energy for natural gas, and remove a cap on how much they can program is slowing down. We are ramping up efforts to hold invest in efficiency. utilities accountable for making investments that benefit their • Create a new program for customers who want more of customers and not just their shareholders—investments, that their power to come from renewable sources. is, in affordable clean energy. We’re also working to drive • Maintain the net metering program that allows customers to renewable energy projects at the local level and helping reduce their electric bills by generating clean energy at home. improve energy efficiency in multi-family housing. 3 POWERING CHANGE in Michigan’s Energy Policy t’s hard to overstate From the earliest Ihow important talks until the final energy policy is to votes were tallied, the health of our MEC was in the mix. environment, our We were asked to families and our serve on a Senate economy. Fortunately— energy work group throughout more than in 2014, shared two years of nonstop convincing legislative advocacy made possible testimony and by supporters like compelling media you—MEC played a messages in 2015, major role in achieving provided insights positive energy reforms and alternatives that became law throughout 2016 to in December. keep the bills moving Among other key Sarah Mullkoff, James Clift and Sean Hammond wait in the House in a productive provisions, the new laws: lobby as state representatives vote on a package of bills that ramp up direction and stayed at Michigan’s investment in clean energy. • Require utilities to the negotiating table ramp up their use of in the final hours renewable energy from their current level of 10 percent to before the bills passed. With your help, we were able to 12.5 percent by 2019, and 15 percent by 2021. turn back dangerous proposals—including a plan to scrap renewable energy and energy efficiency programs—and • Continue the requirement that utilities improve efficiency move Michigan forward. by at least 1 percent per year for electricity and .75 percent It was a big victory, but it doesn’t mean our energy for natural gas, and remove a cap on how much they can program is slowing down.