FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Multiple Organizations
June 13, 2019
Contact: Tim Minotas, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org, (248) 961-9610
An Open Letter to Gov. Whitmer Regarding the MPSC
Nearly two dozen groups sign letter urging Whitmer to appoint environmental champion to MPSC
MICHIGAN — The following is an open letter from the undersigned organizations to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Dear Gov. Whitmer,
We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to use your authority to chart a new path forward for the Michigan Public Service Commission by appointing someone to the upcoming vacancy who will fight for ratepayers, recognize the dire need to move toward a cleaner energy future to combat climate change, and hold utilities accountable.
You have an amazing opportunity to greatly impact Michigan’s energy future by making an appointment based on the above-mentioned principles. You have already made great strides by reorganizing the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and partnering Michigan with the U.S. Climate Alliance. We ask you to continue your work on prioritizing environmental justice with the appointment to the MPSC.
The past appointment of Norm Saari to the MPSC by former Gov. Rick Snyder was a severe error in judgement. We should not be putting former utility lobbyists in charge of safeguarding consumers against their old bosses and shareholders. We cannot allow a fox to guard the hen house. We hope you will correct this mistake from the previous administration and choose someone with a strong environmental track record to replace Saari.
The MPSC is set to weigh in on crucial issues like the integrated resource plans for DTE, Consumers Energy, and other utility companies, which have spent millions to continue prioritizing polluting fossil fuels, stop distributed generation of clean energy, and unfairly raise prices on ratepayers. We need someone who will be a stalwart advocate for the working families and small businesses of Michigan by prioritizing environmental justice and equitable service rates, not someone who is more concerned about growing the profits of corporate utilities.
To end, we ask you to remember, as you pointed out in your State of the State address, the dire consequences of climate change faced by Michigan and our Great Lakes if we continue to drag our feet toward a renewable energy future. Generations to come are relying on you to do the right thing by ceasing our reliance on polluting fossil fuels and moving toward clean, renewable energy. We need the MPSC to be on board with that vision.
We thank you for what you’ve done for the state and hope you’ll consider our message when appointing the next person to the MPSC.
Sincerely,
Citizens’ Resistance at Fermi 2
Detroit Audobon
Ecology Center
Environmental Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party
Flint Rising
Indivisible Fighting #9
MI/Welfare Rights Organization
Michigan Beyond Coal
Michigan Clean Water Action
Michigan Coalition for Human Rights
Michigan Environmental Justice Council
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
Michigan Sierra Club
North End Woodward Community Coalition
Progress Michigan
Soulardarity
Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice
Sunrise Movement Michigan
The 48217 Community and Environmental Health Organization
The Original United Citizens of Detroit
We the People Detroit
We the People – MI
We Want Green Too
Work for Me DTE