Energy reliability is not on the agenda in the Michigan Legislature

Lawmakers have called for hearings and oversight over the state’s two energy giants, DTE and Consumers, after an ice storm and a thundersnow knocked out electrical service to millions across Michigan in back-to-back weeks. But the appetite for oversight is new, and has mostly expressed itself in talk, not action.

Three bills relating to energy have been submitted in the 102nd Michigan Legislature.

A House bill would prohibit local bans on natural gas, and a Senate bill is identical. A third bill is about occupational licensing. None of the three is about improving Michigan’s energy reliability.

Majority House Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, has publicly announced intentions for a bill requiring time-based rebates for power outages. The longer the outage, the bigger the rebate.

But as of March 7 Aiyash had not submitted that bill.