NFIB Opposes Harmful Bill Package Before MI Senate Energy & Environment Committee That Will Increase Energy Costs and Reduce Reliability

June 22, 2023

NFIB Opposes Harmful Bill Package Before MI Senate Energy & Environment Committee That Will Increase Energy Costs and Reduce Reliability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LANSING, MI (June 22, 2023) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the state and nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, submitted testimony today in the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment in opposition to a package of bills that would eliminate non-renewable energy sources by 2035. “On the heels of doing the bidding of Big Labor, the legislative majorities are focusing in on the proverbial Christmas Tree of wishes from Big Environment,” said NFIB State Director Amanda Fisher of today’s hearing. “These bills should not be on the agenda of lawmakers who value Michigan’s Main Street businesses and their workers. These policies are harmful to small business, free enterprise, and Michigan’s economic climate. In addition to exponentially increasing energy costs, these policies will force small businesses to adhere to new regulations with no chance for input and little time to adapt, and will reduce energy reliability.” In its 2023 report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave Michigan’s energy grid a D, citing the continuing increase in reliability issues since 2018. This and the well documented expense of electric energy vs. fuel sources like natural gas and propane should give lawmakers pause. “This bill package also gives more power to unelected bureaucrats to enact the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, which includes the prohibition on gas stoves in new residential and commercial construction,” continued Fisher. “These bills create commission after commission to further create regulations and standards that will negatively impact the lives of small business owners. However, what these commissions don’t do is have any chance for input from business owners, the exact people who will be impacted by these proposed policies.” Fisher noted that being a good steward of our environment is important, however, we need to balance that with the impact to both small businesses and individuals who must shoulder the cost for these new programs and initiatives. “All told, this assortment of bills will place onerous new burdens on small businesses that will cost time and money, jobs, and even, potentially, closures,” remarked Fisher. “We will continue to encourage significant changes to this legislation as we fight for small business across Michigan.”

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For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

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State:

Michigan

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