In Michigan, 88% of the electricity generated by utilities and used to power homes and businesses was produced using one of three energy sources — natural gas (34.5%), coal (27.6%) and nuclear power (25.8%). The figure is for October 2020 and was published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Hydroelectric power provided 1.3%, and intermittent renewables (wind and solar) provided 10.6% of the state’s net electricity generation. The Energy Information Administration defines net electricity generation as "The amount of gross generation less the electrical energy consumed at the generating station(s) for station service or auxiliaries."
Current Michigan law requires electric utilities in this state to get 15% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2022. Utilities have also made deals with billionaire activist Tom Steyer, agreeing to increase this share to 30% by 2030. Since then, Michigan’s two largest utilities have made additional commitments to go to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2040 and 2050.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.