A Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan's 4th Congressional District has taken significant contributions from energy groups while supporting policies that could increase utility costs, records show.
Sean McCann, who is vying for the seat held by Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., has accepted at least $57,600 in contributions from the DTE Energy PAC and CMS Energy Corporation Employees for Better Government since 2011.
McCann's record on energy is resurfacing as he wages an uphill campaign to unseat Rep. Huizenga, raising questions about his approach to federal energy policy.
During his time in the Michigan Senate, McCann served as chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and supported policies that could increase utility costs, such as Michigan's "Green New Deal," which set clean energy requirements to reach a 100% clean energy standard by 2040.
The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, required utility companies to implement at least a 50% renewable energy portfolio by 2030, a change that some experts project will spike energy costs for consumers.
According to a report, the plan could cost Michiganders $386 billion by 2050, resulting in an average annual cost increase of $2,746 per customer, or an additional $228.83 on monthly utility rates.
McCann praised the bill's passage as a key environmental piece of legislation, stating that it would safeguard public health and better protect the environment for future generations.
When asked about the contributions and his voting record, McCann's campaign noted that his opponent, Huizenga, has also taken considerable amounts from DTE and voted to increase energy prices.
The primary election will be held on Aug. 4, and McCann has yet to clinch the Democratic nomination to officially challenge Huizenga in the November general election.
