By Alethia Kasben
Managing Editor
Posted: August 31, 2017 12:10 PM

A social welfare organization, Citizens for Energizing Michigan’s Economy, has started posting internet advertisements promoting the new energy law passed late last year and opposing deregulation of the state’s energy market.

Even after the Legislature was able to pass an energy law in 2016, those supporting the 10 percent choice market – and the possibility to expand it – haven’t changed their minds. And though there doesn’t appear to be a legislative push to change the market any time soon, CEME is posting ads promoting the new law.

On Twitter, the group seemed somewhat active in 2015, mostly retweeting Michigan’s Energy Future, a group involved in supporting the legislation that passed in 2016.

It popped back up in mid-July, with an ad promoting the “new Michigan-first energy law.”

“It makes sure our electricity is reliable, safe, affordable,” the ad says. “It helps businesses create new jobs. It keeps our current energy jobs here in Michigan to maintain our grid 24/7. So when you flip the switch, the lights come on. And everyone pays their fair share.”

The ad comes as Rep. Gary Glenn (R-Williams Township), a supporter of the energy choice market, and others fight a potential move by the Public Service Commission to require energy providers to supply their customers using electricity generated in the state.

Mr. Glenn has said the move would amount to a back-door attempt to end the electric choice market, which would benefit the state’s utilities that serve most of the state.

Mr. Glenn is expected to run for the Senate, which could potentially keep him in the Legislature for eight more years where he could continue to push for changes he wants to see regarding energy, including an expanded choice market. So even though we saw a law passed late last year after a full session of negotiations, the issue is still ongoing.