Lawmaker hosts stop on bipartisan energy reliability listening tour
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 9, 2023 — State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) hosted lawmakers from both parties today for the latest stop on the Energy Reliability, Resilience and Accountability Task Force Listening Tour at Grand Rapids Community College’s M-TEC Center. The event is one of several being held around the state to gather stories and suggestions from utility customers.
State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), second from left, speaks at the meeting of the Energy Reliability, Resilience and Affordability Task Force listening tour on Aug. 9, 2023, at the M-TEC Center of Grand Rapids Community College.
“As legislators, we do our job best when we get input on policy issues directly from our constituents. Residents in communities like Grand Rapids, Wyoming and others across West Michigan are helping to drive our policymaking in the direction residents expect and deserve,” Fitzgerald said. “I am excited to take the experiences and insights we heard today back to Lansing as we continue to work toward a stronger, more resilient energy future in Michigan.”
In early 2023, a wave of severe winter weather swept across Michigan, leaving hundreds of thousands of residences and businesses without power, some for days on end. In response, state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) — chair of the House Committee on Energy, Communications, and Technology — formed the task force and launched the listening tour to hear from residents directly. Members of the task force will incorporate the testimony from the listening tour as the craft legislation to address energy issues in Michigan. The next stop on the tour will take place on Aug. 16 at Flint City Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.