The energy reforms that moved through the Legislature Wednesday would cost the average ratepayer more than $100 a month over the next 27 years, under a modeling study conducted by a Minnesota-based free market think tank to be published by month’s end.

Electric companies need to run 100% on "clean energy" – which includes nuclear power and methane digesters controlling organic waste decomposition – by 2040 under an expansive energy reform package driven by Senate Democrats.

The Senate Energy and Environment Committee voted out legislation Wednesday instructing utility providers in Michigan to run on 100 percent "clean energy" by 2040, permitting the use of nuclear energy and natural gas plants using carbon capture technology.

Senate Democrats are changing their "Clean Energy Future Plan" to have utilities develop a "100% clean energy standard" by 2040 instead of the 2035 deadline that was originally proposed.

In her planned Aug. 30 speech to legislators, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is planning to make energy reliability a priority with an eye toward reducing fossil fuel use, MIRS has learned.