HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
REP. JOSEPH N BELLINO
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
9:00 AM
Room 519, House Office Building
The House Standing Committee on Energy was called to order by the Chair Bellino.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Bellino, Wendzel, Alexander, Frederick, Lower, Filler, Markkanen, Mueller,
O'Malley, Lasinski, Sneller, Tyrone Carter, Haadsma, Kuppa, Manoogian, Shannon.
Absent/Excused: Rep. Schroeder.
Representative Manoogian moved to adopt the meeting minutes from June 5, 2019. There being
no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Representative Markkanen moved to excuse Representative Schroeder from the meeting. There
being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
The Chair laid HB 4477 before the committee:
HB 4477
(Rep. Johnson) A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled "An act
to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain
private utilities and other services affected with a public
interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy
suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally
owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain
provisions of this act; to create a public service commission
and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish
the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the
powers and duties vested by law on the public service
commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain
state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the
continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and
proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to
prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to
qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted
under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a
fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery
facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers
of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to
reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide
appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act;
to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and
parts of acts," by amending section 10a (MCL 460.10a), as
amended by 2016 PA 341.
Representative Steven Johnson and Representative Rabhi testified together in support of the bill.
Questions and discussion followed.
Marco Bruzzano, representing DTE Energy and Cathy Wilson, representing Consumers Energy,
testified together in opposition to the bill.
Major General Retired, Gregory Vadnais testified in support of HB 4477. Questions and
discussion followed.
Cory Connolly, representing the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, and John
Hodge, representing Black and Veatch, testified together in support of the bill. Questions and
discussion followed.
Karyn Ferrick, representing the City of Grand Rapids, and Jack Johnson, representing the Grand
Rapids Fire Department, testified together in support of the bill.
Ed Rivet, representing the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, testified in support of HB
4477. Questions and discussion followed.
John Freeman, representing the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, testified in support
of HB 4477.
The following people submitted a card in support of HB 4477, but did not wish to speak:
Steve Murphy, representing the representing Power Home Solar.
Charlotte Jameson, representing the representing the Michigan Environmental Council.
Thomas Vine, representing the representing Viking Energy of Lincoln and McBain.
Thomas Gilpin, representing the representing the Michigan Sierra Club.
Ethan Jodain, representing the representing the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Paul Stankewitz, representing the representing the Michigan Catholic Conference.
Anne Kelly, representing the representing the Ceres/Bicep Network.
Cami Pendell, representing the representing ABATE.
The following people submitted a card in opposition of HB 4477, but did not wish to speak:
Tanya Paslawski, representing the representing the Michigan Electric and Gas Association.
Mike O’Brien, representing the representing Indiana Michigan Power.
Jason Geer, representing the Geer, representing the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Katie Abraham, representing the representing the Michigan Municipal Electric Association.
There being no further business before the committee, Rep. Joseph Bellino adjourned the
meeting at 10:22 AM.
Representative Joseph Bellino, Chair
Melissa Weipert
Committee Clerk
mweipert@house.mi.gov