Rep. Dianda offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 407.  

            A resolution to express support for the construction of new electricity generating facilities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

            Whereas, The largest power plant in the Upper Peninsula is scheduled for closure. The Presque Isle Power Plant (PIPP) is a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of over 400 megawatts, located on Lake Superior in Marquette, Michigan. It is the region’s largest generation facility north of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and

            Whereas, It is imperative that the Upper Peninsula move to find an alternative to the PIPP that is affordable for ratepayers, ensures grid reliability, and has the capacity to handle the region’s future energy needs; and

            Whereas, Meeting the Upper Peninsula’s energy needs upon the closure of the PIPP exclusively by the construction of transmission lines to import power from Wisconsin electric-generating facilities is an expensive option that will hurt individual consumers, inhibit economic growth, and will not meet the region’s future demand for capacity; and

            Whereas, Investment in new generation facilities, including those that use natural gas, solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy, will keep jobs in the Upper Peninsula and ensure that the people of the State of Michigan have control over the means of production of the electricity upon which they rely; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express support for the construction of new electricity generating facilities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; and be it further

            Resolved, That we call on energy companies to build new generating facilities in the Upper Peninsula and investors to support them.