The largest international platform for environmental outreach, World Environment Day — annually observed on June 5 — engages advocates from across the globe in the effort to protect and restore our planet, underscoring the increasingly urgent need for climate and sustainability action.
Seizing the opportunity to address these growing needs, our Senate Democratic Majority has secured unprecedented clean energy investments and enacted historic legislation that tackles climate change head-on, improves Michigan’s water and air quality, and generates top-quality jobs. In recognition of World Environment Day, Senate Democrats reflect on the strides we have taken to position Michigan as a national leader in climate solutions and clean energy investments and jobs.
Delivering Real Solutions — Clean Energy Future Plan
After over 40 years of Republican leadership over the Michigan Legislature, Senate Democrats named our goal from the onset of our Democratic majority: crafting real solutions that center the prosperity of the people of our great state. To achieve full prosperity, we know that all Michiganders need equitable access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, clean energy. That’s why we worked tirelessly to craft and pass our historic, transformative Clean Energy Future Plan.
These new laws not only represent significant progress in creating a healthier, more sustainable future, but they have also successfully positioned Michigan as the top state in the Midwest for clean energy jobs and a national leader in renewable energy policy — all of which are certainly cause for celebration on World Environment Day. We are proving that moving toward clean energy can benefit our environment and our economy alike, and in doing so, Michigan and our policy efforts are serving as a national model.
Investing in Our Planet’s Future — Historic State Budget and Federal Funding
The state budget is one of our most impactful tools to help incite positive change as lawmakers. That’s why our first state budget under a Democratic Trifecta allocated significant investments that safeguard our environment while fostering economic growth.
Building on these investments from last year’s state budget, our ability to protect Michigan’s environment and combat climate change has also been made possible through unprecedented federal climate investments in our state from the Biden administration.
Senate Democrats are celebrating a historic $156 million investment in solar energy by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to our state to accelerate the deployment of community and rooftop solar for thousands of low-income households. This initiative, the Michigan Solar for All (MISFA) program, aims to reduce utility costs for families, stimulate job creation, and strengthen Michigan’s advanced clean energy sector — all while moving the state toward its MI Healthy Climate Plan goals.
We know that progress builds on progress, and through our leveraging of federal opportunities, we have propelled Michigan forward as the number two state in the country in drawing down federal funding for clean energy and climate action. Again, a greener environment is bringing more financial green to Michigan. These critical investments enable us to expand access to safe, clean, affordable energy for all Michiganders.
Connecting with Environmental Advocates
To further build on Michigan’s national leadership in climate progress, Senate Democrats are engaging with and working collaboratively with environmental stakeholders and advocates from all corners of the state.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) recently spoke on a panel moderated by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to connect with community leaders and environmental activists, highlighting how our historic Clean Energy Future Plan will help lower costs for Michiganders, bolster our economy, and ensure Michigan is a healthy, sustainable place for anyone to call home.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) speaks at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Clean Energy Panel in Wyoming, MI.
More recently, Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) also hosted a town hall with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to hear directly from young constituents passionate about climate resiliency at Michigan State University. Sen. Singh also delivered updates on Michigan’s progress following the enactment of our clean energy legislation, emphasizing how these environmental successes are made possible by working collectively with advocates and stakeholders toward our shared goals. Young people in Michigan and around the world have been leading the charge on tackling climate change, and we have been proud to work alongside them to ensure that we all have a brighter future ahead.
Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) joins the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for a town hall at Michigan State University.
Similarly, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and hundreds of engaged climate advocates to speak at the 2024 MI Healthy Climate Conference, an annual event uplifting the governor’s environmental goals outlined in her transformational MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP).
Sen. Anthony was proud to take this opportunity to engage with environmental stakeholders and delve into the successes of our recently enacted Clean Energy Future Plan, the unprecedented state and federal investments we have secured to further Michigan’s environmental goals, and all the climate progress Senate Democrats have made since assuming the majority.
Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) speaks at the annual MI Healthy Climate Conference in Lansing, MI.
In recognition of World Environment Day, Senate Democrats remain steadfast in our commitment to combating the climate crisis head-on and leveraging all available tools and investments to mitigate the adverse effects of our changing climate for all Michiganders.
Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press