Michigan Law Granting PSC Additional Equity, Environmental Review Powers

In November, 2023, both houses of Michigan’s legislature passed SB 502, which makes changes to the enabling act for Michigan’s Public service Commission (PSC) to enhance its oversight over environmental and equity related matters.

The bill requires that utilities’ integrated resource plans include a review of environmental justice impacts for each new natural-gas-fired generation facility, including impacts to the environment, human health, and economic and social impacts. Under the legislation, integrated resource plans must also account for recently-passed requirements addressing renewable energy, clean energy, energy waste reduction, and an energy storage target, and must further offer projections on the long-term forecast of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants .from power generated or purchased by the electric utility. The PSC’s approval of the integrated resource plan is made contingent on these showings.

At the time of this writing, both houses of Michigan’s legislature have passed SB 502, and it may proceed to the governor on reconciliation.