Gov. Whitmer touts lower energy costs, boosting manufacturing and smart trade policies, but Michigan’s clean energy economy is under threat

Lansing, Mich. – Last night, Governor Whitmer closed her seventh State of the State address with the question: “When you think Michigan, what do you think?” Over the last three years, the answer has increasingly become the epicenter of America’s booming clean energy economy. Since 2022, Michigan has seen nearly $28 billion in new private sector clean energy investments across 74 projects that are creating or advancing more than 26,000 new jobs.

This growth and investment has been critical to Governor Whitmer’s mission to make life more affordable for Michigan residents, create good-paying new jobs, and focus the government to work better for the people it serves. Indeed, in her speech last night, Governor Whitmer touted bipartisan legislation she signed last year to lower energy costs for Michigan residents and her efforts to bring back Michigan manufacturing.

However, with Donald Trump in the White House and MAGA Republicans in control of Congress, Michigan’s growing clean energy economy is at risk. As reported by Michigan Public, the Trump Administration has rescinded or frozen $21 billion in federal resources designated for Michigan, including nearly $400 million for consumer energy rebates and home weatherization, $102 million to make our electric grid more resilient against severe storms, $500 million to support EV battery manufacturing, and more than $20 billion dollars in loans or loan guarantees for job-creating clean energy projects.

The governor also took aim at the Trump Administration’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian trade, noting that it would be “a disaster” – especially for Michigan’s auto industry – and emphasizing that she is “grateful that Republicans, Democrats, and private sector leaders are speaking out against widespread, 25% tariffs on our neighbors.” Ultimately, Governor Whitmer concluded, “we know saying no to Canada means saying yes to China.”

Michigan’s clean energy economy is also being targeted by MAGA Republicans on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, in a party-line vote, House members voted on a budget resolution that puts America’s clean energy investments on the chopping block, only to fund more tax cuts for billionaires. While the details remain secret, Republican Speaker Johnson has pledged that the bill will cover Trump’s entire policy agenda, including crushing American clean energy and increasing Michiganders’ energy bills.

Michigan would suffer as a result. Republican Congressman John James has previously stated how important these investments and projects are for his constituents, saying in January “We must not neglect the sector-wide energy tax provisions that manufacturers and job creators rely on in my district and around the country.”

Governor Whitmer used her State of the State address to highlight Michigan’s tremendous economic progress, and clean energy has been essential to that success story. With that progress in jeopardy, Michigan’s economic future hangs in the balance. 

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