Title
Resolution Supporting the Energy Commission's Resolution Concerning DTE's Propos 1100MW Natural Gas Power Plan (Case U:18419)
Body
Whereas, DTE Energy submitted a Certificates of Necessity (CON) application to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)(U:18419) declaring a need to build an 1100MW natural gas fired power plant that will cost almost $1 billion, a cost to be passed on to consumers,
Whereas, In December 2012, with the passage (by the Ann Arbor City Council) of the Climate Action Plan (CAP), the City of Ann Arbor committed to an ambitious multi-strategy vision to address Climate Change by reducing its community-wide greenhouse emissions (8% by 2015, 25% by 2025, and 90% by 2050 relative to year 2000 baseline carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions levels);
Whereas, Numerous independent experts from groups as diverse as the MEC and ABATE have found DTE's modeling failed to include options and scenarios that would lead to cheaper electrical generation than the proposed plant;
Whereas, DTE has received at least 141 applications from renewable energy producers to build clean energy projects in Michigan that would substantially reduce the need for a new power plant;
Whereas, Building this plant will make it more difficult for Ann Arbor to meet its CAP goals;
Whereas, Multiple experts have presented analysis showing that a continued ramp-up of renewable energy at current rates, along with an increased rate of energy waste reduction and additional demand side management programs could provide an equivalent amount of reliable electricity at lower cost than the proposal in DTE's CON application with less risk due to fluctuations in future natural gas prices and lower GHG emissions;
Whereas, Additional research shows that a diverse mix of clean energy sources would result in 5000 construction jobs and 134 permanent jobs across Michigan, far more than the 35 permanent jobs and 500 construction jobs expected to result from the gas plant in DTE...
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