Michigan’s Energy Future: Jocelyn Benson’s Plans for the Electric Grid
As Michigan prepares for the upcoming gubernatorial race, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has made clear her intentions regarding the state’s energy infrastructure. In a recent speech in Saginaw, she proposed a comprehensive plan aimed at overhauling Michigan’s electric grid if elected as governor.
Benson, who is competing for the Democratic Party nomination against figures such as Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, former Cape Coral, Florida, Mayor Marni Sawicki, and biochemist Kevin Hogan, emphasized the need for urgent action in modernizing the state’s energy systems.
Her energy strategy includes several key initiatives designed to enhance transparency and efficiency within the sector. Among these, Benson proposes to restrict political contributions from utilities, conduct an extensive grid audit, and initiate a statewide Home Energy Bills Relief Program.
Addressing the public’s frustration with rising utility costs, Benson questioned, “We’re paying these skyrocketing bills and we don’t know where all this money is going. Is it going to eliminate these outages and modernize our grid? Or is it just going to increase the profits of corporations and CEO’s?”
Additional components of Benson’s plan include safeguarding residents against unfair electricity shutoffs, expanding prevailing wage policies, fostering union jobs in the clean energy sector, reforming the rate-setting process, and ensuring that corporations, rather than consumers, shoulder the costs of increased energy demands.
Responses from major energy providers were measured. Katie Carey, Consumers Energy’s director of media relations, acknowledged the rising costs facing Michiganders and expressed a willingness to collaborate with any future administration to secure the grid and support the state’s energy needs.
Similarly, DTE Energy highlighted its commitment to affordability and infrastructure improvements, noting efforts to make the grid “stronger and smarter.” The company stated, “Over the past five years, we have worked hard to make the grid stronger and smarter. And, while we still have work to do, we are proud to see that our recent investments in the electric system resulted in 2025 being the most reliable year for customers in nearly two decades.”
Both companies underscored the importance of balancing reliability and cost-effectiveness while adapting to evolving weather patterns and increasing service expectations. DTE emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders to meet customer needs effectively.
Editor’s note: Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are among Michigan Public’s corporate sponsors.
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