Pontiac Times

State Representative Donni Steele, a Republican from Orion Township, has called for urgent infrastructure improvements to prevent mass power outages during extreme cold weather conditions. This statement comes after more than 172,000 homes and businesses in Michigan were left without power following a winter storm last weekend.

Steele, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, emphasized the importance of investing in the state's grid instead of allocating funds for unreliable renewable energy sources. In her statement, she said, "We must invest in fixing our broken grid, not send tax dollars overseas to buy shoddy wind turbines and ineffective solar panels. The green energy game needs to stop so we can come together and invest in our infrastructure, improve our grid, and give our residents the relief they desperately need."

Steele criticized the recent green energy bills pushed through by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which mandate 100% "clean" energy by 2040. She argued that these measures would lead to the closure of natural gas plants, leaving Michigan dependent on unreliable wind and solar power. Steele highlighted the rising concerns of Michigan residents who are experiencing higher rates and prolonged power outages.

"Michigan winters are tough enough," Steele said. "People shouldn't have to worry about keeping the lights on and heating their homes during snowstorms and subzero temperatures. The status quo isn't acceptable. Our mission needs to be improving affordability and reliability so we actually start putting people first."

In response to the ongoing power outages, Steele urged affected individuals to contact her office for assistance. She provided her office phone number, 517-373-1771, and email address, [email protected], for people to reach out to her. Additionally, she directed residents to information on warming centers in Oakland County.

The recent mass outages in Michigan have highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to ensure the reliability of power supply during extreme weather conditions. Rep. Steele's call for investment in the state's grid to improve affordability and reliability has brought attention to the importance of prioritizing the needs of residents. As Michigan continues to face harsh winters, addressing these infrastructure issues becomes paramount to prevent future power outages and provide relief for affected communities.