This week frames opposite ways to tackle a difficult issue. On one hand, you have Wolverine announcing northern Michigan’s largest solar array construction, which we began building this week north of M-55 and our headquarters.  On the other hand, we have the Clash of the Titans engaged in a war of attrition in Washington DC battling over the legality of the Clean Power Plan (CPP).  In this epic battle, we pit the State of West Virginia (supported by 28 other states and many industry groups) against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), battling in front of ten DC Circuit Court Justices, to determine whether the CPP is legal, constitutional and within the rulemaking authority of the Executive Branch.

At stake is how the electric industry transitions away from many of the older, inefficient, dirtier coal plants and toward an environmentally cleaner and more sustainable way to make electricity.  I agree with the new direction.  Moving forward improves our industry, our environment and our civilization long-term.  I disagree with the heavy-handed nature of the present US Administration and the EPA.  I submit Wolverine as the example of the better way forward.  Wolverine, privately financed, privately owned, demonstrates its ability to listen to its customers (members), think strategically and act quickly.  Wolverine leads Michigan in new wind generation, and now we venture with our members exploring the emerging field of solar.  Wolverine completed this without federal mandates, and exceeding state mandates for renewables, not because a government told us to, but because our members felt this was the best way forward.  Wolverine demonstrates how the glimmer of great American ingenuity and industriousness can form, then burn brightly, provided a wet blanket of regulation doesn’t choke the flame.

This week in DC, attorneys on both sides debated issues such as, did EPA violate a Clear Purpose Standard mandated as a requirement of their authority granted by Congress?  Can the EPA regulate emissions only at the power plant site, or can it regulate “outside the plant’s fence” as it attempts to do in the new CPP rule?  Can it regulate an emission source under two different (and conflicting) rules?  Did EPA violate State’s rights as provided under the 10th Amendment?  Did EPA violate procedural rules for promulgating new rules and establishing achievable standards?  If you want more information on this week’s proceedings, check out the video interview of Jim Matheson, the CEO for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.   http://www.eenews.net/tv/2016/09/29

This titanic debate in Washington DC stalls further an electric industry which has spent too many years in neutral.  The outcome of these deliberations will affect your children and grandchildren, directly and indirectly.  It may also set a new standard for Executive power in our country.  While all this plays out, Wolverine will continue to take small positive steps toward a bright future for its members by trying to do the right thing, and trying to do it well, and in advance of, the  federal government swooping in to tell us what to do.