Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Michigan Chamber of Commerce (Michigan Chamber) demonstrates mostly negative engagement with climate policy in Michigan. The group actively advocates for policy that promotes increased fossil fuel use in Michigan, primarily oil and fossil gas. The Michigan Chamber does not disclose its members. However, InfluenceMap has identified several through company disclosures: DTE Energy, Enbridge, CMS Energy, Dow Chemical, and General Motors.
Top Line Messaging on Climate Policy: The Michigan Chamber has limited top-line messaging on climate policy. Top-line statements from the group primarily voice concerns regarding the economic viability of climate-related policies in general. For example, on the organization’s website, its Legislative Priorities for the 2023-2024 session noted the need for policies to address Michigan’s “energy needs and economic competitiveness” without mentioning climate change or affirming the need for government action. The Michigan Chamber has not taken a public position on the Paris Agreement.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policy: The Michigan Chamber has limited engagement with specific climate-related policy. InfluenceMap detected negative advocacy on several policies in Michigan. In June 2023, the group opposed SB 275, which would create an emissions trading scheme for carbon-based fuels, through written testimony to the Michigan Senate Energy and Environment Committee. In the same committee meeting, the Michigan Chamber opposed SB 274, which would require the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to develop a plan for new construction projects to meet GHG emissions targets in accordance with state-wide goals. The group’s communication on these policies is consistent with its top-line messaging.
Positioning on Energy Transition: The Michigan Chamber is highly negatively engaged on the energy transition, strongly advocating for oil and fossil gas expansion in the Michigan energy mix. For example, in 2023, the group opposed major state-level climate bills such as SB 271, which would create Michigan-wide clean and renewable energy targets, and SB 276, which would mandate the phasing-out of coal-fired energy plants by 2030. The group submitted comments to the Michigan House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee in June 2023 opposing HB 4761, which would require energy utilities to implement electrification plans to achieve energy waste reduction goals.
The Chamber also consistently advocated for the continued operation of the Line 5 pipeline throughout the permitting process from 2020-2023, including submitting an amicus brief to a Michigan District Court, comments to various state agencies, CEO messaging, and public messaging on the Chamber’s website and social media. One of the Chamber’s members, Enbridge, owns and operates the Line 5 pipeline. A permit to build a replacement section of the pipeline was approved in late 2023.
While its engagement at the federal level is limited, the Michigan Chamber signed a group letter to President Biden calling for increased domestic fossil fuel exploration. Other signatories include the American Chemistry Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and myriad state and local chambers of commerce. The MI Chamber also signed an April 2024 coalition letter urging the EPA to reject the California Air Resources Board’s request for authorization on regulations to decarbonize rail transport. On the other hand, alongside negative engagement on fossil fuel-related legislation, InfluenceMap found consistent positive support for policies to expand utility-scale solar infrastructure in Michigan.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q2 2024.