Dear Friend,

It’s Earth Day, Michigan!

Here in Michigan, we are surrounded by incredible natural resources like our Great Lakes, inland waterways, and expansive forests. Whether you are camping in the U.P. or soaking up the sun on Lake Huron, outdoor recreation is a big part of what it means to live in Michigan, and we must work together to preserve our air, land, and lakes for future generations.

Protecting our environment is also vital to preserve Michigan’s robust agriculture industry, which employs over 800,000 Michiganders, 17% of our state’s population, and contributes $104.7 billion to our state's economy each year. Today, I had the opportunity to get my hands dirty with some Michigan farmers and learn how we’re working to protect and improve Michigan’s soil health so that farmers can grow the food we eat and support their families and communities.

To celebrate Earth Day, I encourage Michiganders to get involved. Create a plan for your family to recycle, reduce plastic waste, pick up trash around your neighborhood, or go for a bike ride to enjoy the fresh air. If you’re interested in assisting with the Northern Michigan clean-up efforts, please complete the ice storm recovery volunteer interest form.

Each one of us can do our part to protect and preserve the planet we share. That’s why I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to become a leader in the future of clean energy and climate action. Last year, I signed a game-changing package of clean energy legislation that enacted a 100% clean energy standard by 2040. I’m also excited to announce a new program called the MI Healthy Climate Challenge that will help us solve our biggest climate challenges and lower barriers to climate action for local governments, community lenders, schools, churches, and nonprofits across Michigan. See more below!

Together we can build a brighter, healthier future for Michigan, with clean air, clean water, and clean energy!

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

Our Progress to Fight Climate Change and Protect Our Environment

This Earth Day, we recommit ourselves to doing our part to combat climate change. Just last month, Northern Michigan experienced the devastating impacts of climate change head-on, with historic ice storms sweeping across the region, leaving hundreds of thousands of Michiganders without power.

I took swift action to respond to the storms, including declaring a state of emergency to get roads cleared and power restored, deploying hundreds of members of the Michigan National Guard, and lifting trucking restrictions to expedite fuel and critical supply shipments. We are still working to get power restored to hundreds of folks. But we have to do more to curb the likelihood of future severe weather events, including taking action on climate change.

Since I took office, I have been committed to tackling climate change while creating jobs and lowering costs:

• In 2023, I signed a game-changing package of clean energy legislation to lower costs, create jobs, and make Michigan 100% carbon neutral by 2050.
• With the MI Healthy Climate Plan, we will protect 30 percent of state land and water by 2030 to help naturally absorb greenhouse gas emissions, preserve biodiversity, and expand recreation.
• I signed bipartisan budgets investing millions in climate-resilient infrastructure, electric school buses, renewable energy for low-income families, and more.
• We reopened the Palisades Power Plant, protecting 600 union jobs and clean power for 800,000 homes.
• We have taken action to conserve and protect Michigan’s diverse wildlife while expanding access to outdoor recreation and making critical investments in our parks, trails, and public lands.

Right now, however, proposed cuts to critical federal funding could jeopardize the progress we’ve made together. These cuts would impact programs that protect the Great Lakes, clean up legacy pollution, restore wetlands, expand clean energy, and help our communities prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters.

I will continue to work with anyone who is serious about tackling the environmental challenges Michigan faces. Right now, invasive Asian carp pose a significant threat to our Great Lakes ecosystem. If Asian carp ever make their way into the lake, they could cause billions of dollars of damage to Michigan’s fishing and outdoor recreation industries. Recently, I met with President Trump, and during our meeting, he acknowledged the importance of working to protect our lakes from invasive Asian carp. I will continue working with him to solve this problem.

New MI Healthy Climate Challenge

Today, Lt. Governor Gilchrist visited the third annual MI Healthy Climate Conference to announce a new program called the MI Healthy Climate Challenge.

Like the PitchMI program we announced last year, the MI Healthy Climate Challenge will award millions of dollars to solve our biggest climate challenges. It will lower barriers to climate action for local governments, community lenders, schools, churches, and nonprofits across Michigan.

The first challenge—starting NOW—is called Solar for Savings. Currently, a major obstacle to meeting our climate goals is a lack of access to renewable energy, including residential and community solar, across Michigan. This challenge will provide $9 million in pilot grants for residential and community solar projects, as well as enabling home upgrades and energy storage projects.

Applying is simple—visit Michigan.gov/MHCChallenge.