By Robert Walton, Utility Dive.

Dive Brief:

Lawmakers in Michigan's House and Senate yesterday reached a bipartisan compromise to overhaul the state's energy marketplace, raising the renewable energy standard from 10% to 15%, protecting retail net metering and keeping its limited retail choice program alive.
Clean energy advocates praised the final decision, which did not include provisions they believed would have hurt the state's nascent solar market.
The 11th-hour compromise was shepherded by Michigan Gov., Rick Snyder (R), who said the "landmark" legislation will give consumers more control over their energy, save them millions and protect the state's environment.

Dive Insight:

Michigan lawmakers went down to the wire but finally passed the much-anticipated bill at the close of the legislative session — a day after 19 hours of negotiations appeared to leave the plan in a precarious position.

"We now have a statewide energy policy that will save Michigan residents millions of dollars on their electric bills, alleviate concerns about having enough capacity to power the daily activities of 10 million people and find new ways to use our existing energy grid more efficiently," Snyder said in a statement. "This policy also allows for more consumer choice in our growing market.