Michigan Renewable Energy Amendment, Proposal 3 (2012)
| Proposal 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Constitutional amendment |
| Origin | Citizens |
| Topic | Energy on the ballot |
| Status |  |
A Renewable Energy Amendment was on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot in Michigan as an initiated constitutional amendment, where it was defeated. The initiative would have mandated that by 2025, 25% of the state's electricity must come form renewable resources. The proposal was filed by Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs on January 12, 2012.[1]
- See Energy policy in Michigan for a full explanation of energy policy across the state.
Election results
- See also: 2012 ballot measure election results
| Michigan Proposal 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 2,842,000 | 62% | ||
| Yes | 1,721,279 | 38% | ||
- Official results from the Michigan Secretary of State.
Text of measure
The official ballot text read as follows:[2]
PROPOSAL 12-3
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A STANDARD FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
This proposal would:
- Require electric utilities to provide at least 25% of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, which are wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower, by 2025.
- Limit to not more than 1% per year electric utility rate increases charged to consumers only to achieve compliance with the renewable energy standard.
- Allow annual extensions of the deadline to meet the 25% standard in order to prevent rate increases over the 1% limit.
- Require the legislature to enact additional laws to encourage the use of Michigan made equipment and employment of Michigan residents.
Should this proposal be approved?
YES __
NO ____
Support
The campaign to pass the measure was led by Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs.
Supporters
- Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs
- Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group[3]
- Michigan Nurses Association[3]
- Sterling Corporation[4]
- Michigan Environmental Council[4]
- United Auto Workers[5]
Arguments
- According to supporters the amendment was projected to provide more than 40,000 jobs and attract $10 billion in new investments. Supporters also said the amendment would have a positive impact on personal health, in addition to being better for the environment.[3]
- Steve Linder, president of Sterling Corporation, a Republican communications company, stated his support for the measure citing the positive impact the amendment will have on Michigan's manufacturing industry by lessening the dependency on coal imports. Linder, who saw the amendment in business rather than just environmental terms, said, "this is really a business to business ballot initiative and we are very comfortable in making the business and economic case that this keeps dollars in our state and it keeps us at the cutting age of new types of manufacturing technology."[4]
Campaign contributions
In Michigan campaign finance information related to ballot measures is organized by ballot question committees. The following data was obtained from the state Campaign Finance Committee:
Committee info:
| Committee | Amount raised | Amount spent |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs | $2,247,277.80 | $1,812,562.11[6] |
| Total | $2,247,277.80 | $1,812,562.11 |
Opposition
The group Clean Affordable Renewable Energy for Michigan Coalition, also known as C.A.R.E., campaigned against the measure, saying that the energy mandate does not belong in the state constitution.[7]
Opponents
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce[8]
- Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution[9]
- Governor Rick Snyder
Arguments
- In a press release published in September 2012, Gov. Snyder said, "Current law sets a goal of generating 10 percent of electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro and biomass by 2015. This is a standard that's already difficult to meet. Proposal Three would set the bar even higher - and we would be the only state to have such a mandate in our constitution."[10]
Campaign contributions
In Michigan campaign finance information related to ballot measures is organized by ballot question committees. The data contained below reflects the total campaign finance records of Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution, there is no available breakdown by individual measures available. The following data was obtained from the state Campaign Finance Committee:
Committee info:
| Committee | Amount raised | Amount spent |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Affordable Renewable Energy for Michigan Coalition | $5,922,165.00 | $5,688,236.88[11] |
| Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution | $340,150.00 | $52,274.58[12] |
| Total | $6,262,315.00 | $5,740,511.46 |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Michigan signature requirements
In order to place the measure on the November 2012 ballot supporters must collect a minimum of 322,609 valid signatures by July 9, 2012.
On August 13, the State Board of Canvassers certified 419,636 signatures.[13] On Wednesday, August 15, the board voted to place the measure on the ballot.[14]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Proposal would raise state's renewable electricity goal to 25% by 2025," January 12, 2012
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Proposal 3," accessed September 10, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Press & Guide, "GUEST COLUMN: Renewable energy could be on Nov. 6 ballot," April 22, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 MichiganRadio.org, "25 x '25: Creating a new renewable energy standard for Michigan," May 22, 2012
- ↑ Detroit News, "Unions, Dems split on renewable energy ballot issue at Michigan convention," September 9, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Pre-primary campaign statement, accessed August 31, 2012
- ↑ Associated Press, "Opponents to launch campaign against energy issue," June 25, 2012
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Poll: Michigan voters skeptical about collective bargaining, bridge ballot proposals," September 16, 2012
- ↑ Citizens Protecting Michigans Constitution campaign website
- ↑ Press release from Gov. Rick Snyder, September 2012
- ↑ Pre-primary campaign statement, accessed September 10, 2012
- ↑ Pre-primary campaign statement, accessed September 21, 2012
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State Staff Review of “Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs” Petition
- ↑ Associated Press, "2 of 4 proposals OK'd for ballot," August 15, 2012 (dead link)
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