Lawmakers in Lansing say they want to end the energy monopoly in the state. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced bills they say will empower Michigan residents to produce their own clean energy.
Net metering lets people who produce their own renewable energy – like solar – get hooked up to the public-utility power grid. They can use the power they make at any time PLUS they can essentially sell the energy they don’t use to the utility.
Some of the bills focus on removing barriers to net metering. One bill would get rid of caps on how much energy you can produce. Another would ensure people who put energy onto the grid are fairly compensated.
Representative Scott Dianda is a bill sponsor.
“We have to get the freedom to the consumers. We are paying too heavy of a price for energy in Michigan.”
Utilities say they want to make sure that all customers who rely on the grid pay their fair share of the costs of maintaining the grid.