Article Summary –
Michigan’s clean energy sector has been significantly impacted by federal policy changes under President Donald Trump, resulting in the cancellation or delay of 158,000 clean energy jobs nationwide, with over 6,000 in Michigan alone. Despite Michigan’s aggressive push for clean energy, aiming for 100% carbon neutrality by 2040 and once leading the nation in clean energy projects, Trump’s administration has undermined these efforts by attempting to halt funding and increase coal production. Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, has joined other states in suing the EPA over the termination of the Solar for All program, which was critical for providing low-income households with affordable clean energy, emphasizing the state’s ongoing resistance to federal policies that threaten its clean energy initiatives.
Michigan’s clean energy future faces setbacks as firms reduce projects and lay off employees due to federal policy shifts and funding cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Climate Power reports that 158,000 clean energy jobs nationwide have been canceled or delayed since Trump began his second term. Michigan represents over 6,000 of those jobs, including 1,200 workers General Motors recently announced would be laid off at a Detroit electric vehicle plant.
“Trump’s policies are causing a collapse of manufacturing projects in Michigan,” said Climate Power communications director Alex Glass. “Despite promises to bring back jobs and reduce costs, Trump leaves Americans with higher utility bills and layoffs. Michigan Republicans must explain their support for an agenda that sends American jobs overseas and increases daily living costs.”
Michigan has aggressively pursued clean energy, aiming for 100% carbon neutrality by 2040. Climate Power notes Michigan was the top state in 2024 with 74 clean energy projects announced from 2022-2024, totaling over 26,000 jobs and $27 billion in federal funding.
Progress has stalled under Trump, who criticizes U.S. climate policies and clean energy tech. He falsely claimed climate change is a hoax and attempted to pause funding from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and signed an order to boost coal production.
Michigan counters actions by Trump and Republicans that hinder clean energy progress.
Recently, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the state’s participation in a lawsuit against the U.S. EPA for ending the Solar for All program, a $7 billion initiative for low-income households.
In 2024, Michigan received $156 million in Solar for All funding for 13 pilot projects. The attorney general’s office states the loss of funding halted these projects, denying disadvantaged Michigan communities program benefits.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to rescind approved grants is unlawful and harmful to Michigan residents,” Nessel said. “We’ve countered similar White House actions before and plan to do so again to ensure that investments lowering energy costs and making clean energy accessible aren’t stripped away.”
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