The current political landscape represents a magical moment for anyone envisioning a clean energy future, Inslee said, pointing to three factors making the case for a clean energy transition.
“Number one, we know that Americans are increasingly frustrated about their high electricity costs,” Inslee said. “Number two, we know that the market is demanding sources of clean energy because it is cheaper and because it is faster, both. And number three, we know that the federal government has withdrawn from any responsibility for dealing with this problem.”
While others view the Trump administration’s opposition to clean energy with doom and gloom, Inslee argued the contrary.
Invoking Winston Churchill, he stressed that days like these are days of consequence.
“Right now, I believe these are great days for Michigan and Washington where we can move the ball forward, because we have demonstrated in Washington, and you have in Michigan as well, that this is really true,” Inslee said. “Nobody in the White House can stop Michigan or Washington from moving forward on clean energy.”
From helping to install heat pumps to expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the vast majority of decarbonization efforts cannot be touched by the federal government, Inslee said.
“Technology is with us. People are with us. The science is behind us, and we have vast majorities of people who want to see this happen,” Inslee said. “So I bid you well in your journey, I want to let you know we’re always there to help in Washington State.”
Also speaking at the conference was Phil Roos, the director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, who said Michigan has undergone a profound shift in under 10 years.
He pointed to the state’s commitment to reaching 100% carbon neutrality by 2050; the release of the MI Healthy Climate Plan in 2022, which set the roadmap for that goal, and the decision to place the Healthy Climate Plan goals into state law with Michigan’s 2023 clean energy laws.
Originally published in Michigan Advance on April 22 2026