RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMISSION S.B. 1045: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]
Senate Bill 1045 (as introduced 1-22-08)
Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown
Committee: Energy Policy and Public Utilities
Date Completed: 1-24-08
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Renewable Energy Commission Act" to establish the Renewable Energy Commission within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).
The proposed Commission would have to investigate and recommend strategies that the Governor and the Legislature could implement to promote the use of renewable energy. The Commission also would have to identify mechanisms that promoted research into renewable energy, as well as mechanisms that promoted effective communication and coordination of efforts between the State and local governments, private industry, and institutes of higher education concerning the investigation of, research into, and promotion of renewable energy.
The Commission could review any State regulation that could hinder the use, research, and development of renewable energy, and recommend changes to the Governor and the standing committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate that deal with energy issues.
The Commission would consist of the following members, appointed within 90 days of the proposed Act's effective date:
-- The DLEG Director, who would be the chair of the Commission, or his or her designee.
-- One member appointed by the Governor to represent the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
-- One member appointed by the Governor to represent the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
-- One member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to represent local government.
-- One member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to represent the business community.
-- One member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to represent a statewide association representing energy efficiency.
-- One member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to represent a statewide association representing clean energy.
-- One member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent the general public.
-- One member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent municipally owned electric utilities.
-- One member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent a statewide association that represents renewable energy.
--
-- One member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent investor-owned electric utilities.
-- One member appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to represent alternative electric suppliers.
-- One member appointed by the Governor to represent colleges and universities in Michigan that are engaged in renewable energy research.
-- Any other member whom the Governor concluded was necessary to further the Commission's purposes.
Within one year after the proposed Act took effect, the Commission would have to issue a written report on its investigation and recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor. Follow-up reports would have to be issued at least annually and could be issued more frequently if the Commission considered it advisable.
The proposed Act would be repealed on January 1, 2011.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create the Renewable Energy Commission in the Department of Labor and Economic Growth for a maximum of three years. To the extent the Commission required staff support, the Department would be required to cover these costs. There are no additional resources being allocated for this purpose, so these costs would have to be covered by existing revenue.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
Maria Tyszkiewicz
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1045/0708