FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
March 19, 2026
Contact: Levi Teitel, levi@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Michiganders Want More Clean Energy to Address Affordability Crisis
Nearly double the support overall for renewables over fossil fuels
MICHIGAN – On Thursday, a new poll released by Progress Michigan shows that Michiganders overwhelmingly believe expanding access to clean, renewable energy like wind and solar is the best solution to lower our energy costs, rejecting calls to prop up aging, dirty fossil fuel power plants.
There is growing frustration with efforts to keep outdated coal powered plants operating, including intervention from the Trump administration to keep the J.H. Campbell coal power plant in west Michigan open despite Consumers Energy making plans to transition away from coal to meet our state’s 100 percent renewable target by 2040.
“Michiganders are nearly twice as likely to support cleaner, cheaper renewable energy than forcing coal plants to stay open,” said Justin Mendoza, executive director of Progress Michigan. “People understand that wind and solar are the most affordable sources of new energy today. Instead of illegally propping up outdated coal plants like the J.H. Campbell, our lawmakers should be focused on accelerating the transition to renewable energy that actually lowers utility bills.”
“The poll shows a clear consensus across communities, across education levels and across regions of the state,” continued Mendoza. “Michiganders want clean energy that lowers cost, protects public health, and builds a modern energy system for the future.”
MoE is +/- 3.9 and sample size was 628
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