Dear Neighbor,
Here in our lakeshore community, we have access to one of the best natural resources our state has to offer — Lake St. Clair. From Grosse Pointe to Harsens Island, each and every one of us depend on the lake, as it supplies drinking water to four million people in our region, generates $1.6 billion in economic activity, supports more than 18,000 jobs, and provides families with unmatched recreational opportunities.
The health of Lake St. Clair and its connected waterways is intertwined with the overall health of our environment. As we continue to see an increasing number of severe weather events and extreme temperatures, my colleagues and I have been working to pass innovative, evidence-based policies to combat the disastrous effects of climate change. From repealing harmful, outdated laws to championing bold, new legislation that positions Michigan to be a national leader in clean energy — we’re fighting to secure a better, brighter future for our state.
This newsletter provides an update on our legislative efforts to safeguard our environment, build up our clean energy infrastructure, preserve the integrity of our lakes, and so much more.
As always, I’d love to hear from you about proactive ways we can work together to protect our state’s natural resources. Please feel free to reach out to my office to share your perspective on this or any issue — we are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
Advocating for Our Environment
Allowing Michigan to Set Our Own Environmental Standards
Senate Bill 14 repeals the prohibition on state agencies establishing rules that are stricter than federal regulations, allowing them to set the highest and best standards for our environmental protections.
Making Energy Efficiency More Available to Michiganders
Senate Bills 302 and 303 expand Michigan’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy statute to increase financing options for energy and water conservation projects.
Transforming Obsolete & Contaminated Property
Senate Bill 289 expands Michigan’s Brownfield Plan program to make projects transforming property complicated by the presence of contamination or blight more feasible.
Increasing Fines for Illegal Dumping
House Bill 4325 raises the fine for those who illegally dump large amounts of trash, holding them accountable for the cost of cleaning up their mess.
In addition to taking legislative action to tackle the climate crisis, the Michigan Senate prioritized our environment in the 2024 state budget. Through targeted, meaningful investments aimed at protecting Michigan’s natural resources and expanding opportunities for folks to get outdoors, we’re ensuring everyone who calls our state home can enjoy the benefits of our diverse landscapes.
Local Investments
- $5 million for Lake St. Clair Metropark’s North Marina to support a large-scale renovation of the park and its water access, including helping to extend the life of the seawall another 30 years.
- $200,000 for a Pocket Park in Harper Woods, affording young people the opportunity to have a neighborhood park within walking distance where they can enjoy the outdoors.
Statewide Investments
- $64 million to complete construction of a dam project to keep invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.
- $30 million for the Renewable Ready Communities program, helping to incentivize renewable energy projects throughout the state.
- $2.2 million for the Michigan Climate Corps, empowering communities to tackle climate change and protect our environment for future generations.
- $1 million to provide assistance to communities for pollution prevention, monitoring and other remediation activities.
Charting a Clean Energy Future
Fresh Air, Clean Water, & Good Jobs
For years, Michigan citizens have called for decisive action to address concerns about climate change — concerns that have long gone unaddressed. Last year, my legislative colleagues and I took bold steps to combat the disastrous effects of our climate crisis and create a more sustainable state for future generations.
Our Clean Energy Future plan — comprised of Senate Bills 271, 273, 277, 502, and 519 — are integral to positioning our state as a national leader in clean energy, while also diversifying Michigan’s economy and supporting workers, farmers, and consumers.
Boosts Energy Efficiency & Lowers Costs
In order to improve long-term energy affordability, it’s vital we find ways to boost our energy efficiency. This legislative package includes new requirements for utility companies, allowing us to see an increase in electric efficiency standards from 1% to 1.5% for electricity energy waste reduction, as well as an increase in natural gas efficiency standards from 0.75% to 0.875% for gas energy waste reduction by 2026. These new laws also expand the availability of efficiency programs for customers, helping to further lower costs for folks struggling to make ends meet.
Promotes Environmental Justice & Public Health
For too long, Michiganders — particularly those from disadvantaged communities — have not been properly involved in the decision-making process regarding utility companies’ energy plans. With our Clean Energy Future proposal, we’re giving everyone a seat at the table and creating more opportunities for public participation by requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to host at least four public meetings each year. Additionally, this legislation requires the MPSC to considerthe impact of energy policies and energy plans on environmental justice, public health, and the health of our climate.
Supports Michigan Workers in the Transition to Clean Energy
Here in Michigan, we’re proving that business and environmental interests can work together to create the economy of the future. Not only are we building a greener, more sustainable state, we are doing so in a way that will bring new businesses to Michigan and create thousands of good-paying jobs in the process. By establishing the brand-new Office of Community and Worker Economic Transition, our Clean Energy Future plan will ensure Michigan workers — from welders to electricians to pipefitters — reap the benefits as we build out new clean energy infrastructure.
Moves Michigan to 100% Clean & Renewable Energy
A core tenet of the Clean Energy Future plan is the expansion of Michigan’s Renewable Energy Standard. This new policy puts Michigan on a path towards achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030, 60% renewable energy by 2035, and 100% clean energy statewide by 2040. To ensure we reach these goals, our new energy laws also break down barriers to rooftop solar and other wind and solar projects, giving more Michigan consumers and farmers the power to generate their own clean energy.
Clean water infrastructure is essential for maintaining healthy lakes and a thriving environment. Unfortunately, though, our state’s water infrastructure is outdated, poorly rated, and in need of repair. As a result, communities along the shoreline have experienced a slew of negative effects including basement flooding and beach closures.
Throughout my time in the State Legislature, I’ve been focused on driving targeted investments to our community to make much-needed improvements to preserve the health of Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes. Among the nearly $600 million statewide we secured in the 2024 budget to replace lead service lines, rebuild sewers and water infrastructure around the state, $12 million was earmarked for projects here in District 12. This funding includes:
- $5 million for the Chesterfield Interceptor to proactively address aging infrastructure in order to avoid catastrophes like sinkholes.
- $5 million for the St. Clair Shores Martin Drain District to address combined sewer overflows and prevent harmful algae blooms.
- $2 million for Harsens Island to make critical updates to their batch wastewater treatment plant.