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Office of Climate and Energy

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Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Office of Climate and Energy

The Office of Climate and Energy coordinates the state’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through development and implementation of the Mi Healthy Climate Plan as ordered in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10. It will serve as Michigan’s action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning toward carbon neutrality throughout the economy.  This comprehensive plan will protect the public health of Michiganders and our environment while putting Michigan on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050.

Transitioning to carbon neutrality will mitigate the future harms of climate change and enable Michigan to take full advantage of the ongoing global energy transformation—from the jobs it will generate for our skilled workforce, to the protections it will provide for natural resources, to the savings it will bring to communities and utility ratepayers.

To ensure steady progress toward this goal, and to prevent irreparable harm to Michigan’s ecosystem, residents, and businesses in the interim, the Executive Directive further provides that Michigan will aim to achieve a 28 percent reduction below 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

The office supports state and local governments in mitigation and resiliency efforts to both achieve the state’s carbon neutrality goal and help prepare communities for climate impacts. The Office also provides guidance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency, and advocates for the continued transition to a clean energy economy.

 

Planning consultant Request for Proposals (RFP) - deadline November 19, 2024

The State released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a planning consultant to support planning for the MISFA program on Wednesday October 16, 2024. Proposals are due November 19, 2024.  

More information on the RFP and how to submit a proposal
MI Healthy Climate Plan

MI Healthy Climate Plan

The MI Healthy Climate Plan lays out a pathway for Michigan to reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs, and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders. 

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MI Healthy Climate Corps

The MI Healthy Climate Corps provides opportunities to leverage AmeriCorps members to advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan through implementation of targeted climate action projects in state agencies, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations in Michigan.

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Council on Climate Solutions

The Council on Climate Solutions acts in an advisory capacity to the governor and the department in formulating and overseeing the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

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Catalyst Communities

A comprehensive program to provide education, training, planning and technical resources to local governments as they work toward their sustainability goals.

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Get involved

Learn how to get involved by attending a conference, watching a webinar, and signing up for email lists.

Creation of the Office of Climate and Energy

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in February 2019 signed Executive Order 2019-06 that created the Department of Great Lakes, Environment, and Energy. The executive order expanded the duties of the former Department of Environmental Quality to include as a priority an added focus on energy and climate issues as they affect the state and its residents. That executive order created the Office of Climate and Energy within EGLE.

The Office of Climate and Energy coordinates Michigan's response to climate change across state departments and agencies, and provide recommendations, guidance and assistance on climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency strategies. It supports the state's move to increased clean energy production and works with stakeholders to educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy sources as well as energy efficiency practices.

Executive Order 2019-06 also moved the former Michigan Energy Office under EGLE's Materials Management Division. Now known as the Energy Services Unit, the office continues to be committed to promoting healthy communities, economic growth, and environmental sustainability through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Gov. Whitmer and EGLE also have taken other steps to promote clean energy and work toward mitigating the effects of climate change:

  • EGLE's Catalyst Communities program was created in September, 2020. It will provide training, resources and technical assistance to Michigan communities to help them address climate impacts on health and emergency preparedness.
  • The state of Michigan signed on as a member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of stakeholders committed to taking action to address climate change.
  • An Executive Directive promotes lead-by-example sustainability initiatives within state agencies.
  • EGLE is coordinating the cabinet-wide Climate and Sustainability workgroup.
  • The U.P. Energy Task Force launched to help foster energy affordability, reliability, and resilience in the Upper Peninsula.
  • EGLE formed an internal Climate and Energy Team to refine its agency-wide approach to climate efforts and energy efficiency and to integrate existing efforts throughout all divisions.