State Rep. Mike Hoadley today voted against a Democrat plan to radically alter Michigan’s energy policy, voicing strong concerns that the new mandates are a gamble that will burden Michigan families with electricity that is more expensive and less reliable.

The plans call for utilities to have 100% clean energy by 2040, with several other mandates that will also increase costs. The mandates are similar to those issued in California that resulted in rate hikes and widespread blackouts.

“These generation methods are frankly in the infancy of feasibility,” said Hoadley, of Au Gres, when addressing the legislation on the House floor. “They require much more development and advancements before we can afford to gamble our entire energy future on them.

“Many energy providers are already moving toward this type of technology. Needlessly pressing the issue with ridiculous government mandates sets the table for major issues that will cost residents and families.”

Hoadley pointed toward a recent analysis published from the Mackinac Center that disclosed a net zero energy plan could cost Michigan rate payers upwards of $200 billion overall in additional energy costs.

Other measures approved by House Democrats today would strip control away from local communities concerning the construction of large-scale solar and wind energy projects. Under these plans, the unelected Michigan Public Service Commission could force the projects on local communities with little regard for residents’ concerns, and people would have no ability to hold the unelected commission members accountable.

“These bills put decisions that should be made by communities with local input in mind in the hands of unelected bureaucrats,” Hoadley said. “This is big government at work, and it will have severe ramifications for our rural communities.”

Each of the bills were ultimately approved by the House along party lines. House Bills 5120 and 5121 now advance to the Senate for further consideration. Senate Bills 271, 273 and 502, the clean energy mandates, will soon be presented to the governor for her expected signature.