Pre-December Policy Updates

Legislation:

Also, see Public Act 230 of 1972 – which calls for a periodic (every 3 years) review of building codes & construction.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Act-230-of-1972.pdf
Here are links to the Michigan House Bills that Gail mentioned are currently being deliberated:

HB 4297 – “Clean, renewable, and efficient energy act”: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kjxmul55iq5vhica4lde3lj2))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2015-HB-4297

Recently updated, rumored to not take further action on the floor this week. +Bill Analysis:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/billanalysis/House/pdf/2015-HLA-4297-3E8C6444.pdf

HB 4298 – Regulation of public utilities: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kjxmul55iq5vhica4lde3lj2))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2015-HB-4298

 +Bill Analysis: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/billanalysis/House/pdf/2015-HLA-4298-B4F2E15F.pdf

HB 4551 – Will amend Income tax act of 1967 to allow tax credits for purchases of “GREEN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES”:http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kjxmul55iq5vhica4lde3lj2))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2015-HB-4551 (we appreciate this, will inquire about creating something similar for commercial buildings)

HB 4575 – Regulate the siting and construction of electrical transmission lines – “Michigan electric infrastructure act":http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kjxmul55iq5vhica4lde3lj2))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2015-HB-4575 (little relevance to USGBC) 

A summary from the NRDC on current house energy legislation:
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/agonzalez/understanding_and_upgrading_mi.html

Current residential energy code:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lara/lara_bcc_2015_energy_residential_code_502810_7.pdf

Platform:

1) Strengthen the energy act, preserve the framework for robust Energy Optimization & Renewable Energy

This means improving opportunities & tax credits for energy efficiency retrofitting across commercial, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors.

2) Update the energy/building codes

This means improving standards for energy efficiency retrofitting across commercial, residential, industrial, and municipal sectors.

(For future updates)

ASHRAE technical findings:

USGBC Reports


E2 July Business Survey Results
http://cleanenergyworksforus.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/080415_MI_Survey_Release_FINAL3.pdf