A popular Government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps both. JAMES MADISON A review of the votes and proposals of the Michigan Legislature — Vol. 2, No. 6 — November/December 2008 POWER FAILURE New “Clean” Energy Law Hikes Costs n Sept. 18, the Michigan most 26 percent of the electricity O Legislature overwhelmingly generated in Michigan and pro- approved Senate Bill 213, which duces none of the carbon emis- mandates that by 2015 electricity sions that some believe cause a suppliers acquire at least 10 per- harmful rise in global tempera- cent of their power from “clean” tures. (The new law would also and “renewable” sources and allow for some restricted use of pass along the additional costs clean coal technology to meet to their customers. the mandate.) In addition to wind and solar, To offset anticipated cost the alternative power sources increases from the alternative allowed under the mandate in- energy mandate, the electric clude biomass, geothermal, and utilities, whose prices are regu- more, but not nuclear energy, lated by the Michigan Public which already accounts for al- See “Power Failure,” Page 4 ©2008 Email:
[email protected] Arlan Meekof, R-West Olive, on SPECIAL INTERESTS PAID PAID INSIDE THE ISSUE Right-to-Work Sept. 16 sponsored an amend- Fenton, MI U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S. Permit #1776 Permit ment to tie-bar House Bill 4454 to NONPROFIT ORG. 3 Bill Rejected House Bill 6256. Us v. Them 14 House Republicans Attaching a tie-bar would have The People and the vote “nay” meant that the latter bill would not become law unless the former Political Class espite evidence that a majority one was approved as well.