Michigan · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on energy and climate?
Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
John JamesRepublican
Part of the full Michigan Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Energy & Climate
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Jocelyn Benson
Proposes ending what she calls profit-driven utility rate hikes, limiting utilities' political spending, expanding clean energy, and a statewide moratorium on new data centers until stronger safeguards exist.
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- Campaign proposalApril 10, 2026
Her energy plan, released in April 2026, would reform utility rate-setting and end what she calls unfair rate hikes, bar regulated utilities from spending to “influence or elect politicians,” end conflicts of interest on the Michigan Public Service Commission, launch an energy bill relief program to weatherize homes, and expand renewable energy and grid modernization. She has pledged not to accept campaign contributions from energy companies or corporate PACs. 3 sourcesJocelyn Benson’s Energy Affordability Plan Will Take on Skyrocketing Costs and Reform a Broken System (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · April 13, 2026 · CampaignMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Campaign proposalOct. 2026
Supports a statewide moratorium on new data centers until stronger protections are in place, followed by required public hearings, disclosure reporting, proof before construction that a project will not abuse natural resources such as water and land, data centers paying for their added energy use, and union labor contracts. Her published proposal also calls for ending data-center tax breaks but does not say how long a moratorium would last. 4 sourcesMichigan Data Center Election: Benson Wants A Pause, James Says Let Communities Decide (opens in a new tab)MITechNews · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsSaline Township Data Center Draws Attention in Michigan Election Debates (opens in a new tab)The Sun Times News · Oct. 9, 2026 · NewsJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Campaign proposalApril 10, 2026
Her energy plan, released in April 2026, would reform utility rate-setting and end what she calls unfair rate hikes, bar regulated utilities from spending to “influence or elect politicians,” end conflicts of interest on the Michigan Public Service Commission, launch an energy bill relief program to weatherize homes, and expand renewable energy and grid modernization. She has pledged not to accept campaign contributions from energy companies or corporate PACs. 3 sourcesJocelyn Benson’s Energy Affordability Plan Will Take on Skyrocketing Costs and Reform a Broken System (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · April 13, 2026 · CampaignMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Campaign proposalOct. 2026
Supports a statewide moratorium on new data centers until stronger protections are in place, followed by required public hearings, disclosure reporting, proof before construction that a project will not abuse natural resources such as water and land, data centers paying for their added energy use, and union labor contracts. Her published proposal also calls for ending data-center tax breaks but does not say how long a moratorium would last. 4 sourcesMichigan Data Center Election: Benson Wants A Pause, James Says Let Communities Decide (opens in a new tab)MITechNews · Oct. 12, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsSaline Township Data Center Draws Attention in Michigan Election Debates (opens in a new tab)The Sun Times News · Oct. 9, 2026 · NewsJocelyn Benson (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
John James
Would repeal energy mandates enacted under Gov. Whitmer, pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and halt new data centers until local control, rate and water protections are in place.
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- Campaign proposal2026
Says his first energy priority would be repealing the "Whitmer 'green energy' mandates" and restoring local control, and that he would pursue an all-of-the-above strategy including natural gas, nuclear, hydro, biofuels and renewables "where they make economic sense." 2 sourcesMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Supports a moratorium on new data centers until there is a plan built on local control, no increase in electricity bills, protection of water, no pollution, and use of brownfields before farmland; he supports repealing Public Act 233, which he says removed local control. 3 sourcesMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsMichigan Gov. candidate John James on biggest state issues (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · June 9, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
Says his first energy priority would be repealing the "Whitmer 'green energy' mandates" and restoring local control, and that he would pursue an all-of-the-above strategy including natural gas, nuclear, hydro, biofuels and renewables "where they make economic sense." 2 sourcesMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 15, 2026
Supports a moratorium on new data centers until there is a plan built on local control, no increase in electricity bills, protection of water, no pollution, and use of brownfields before farmland; he supports repealing Public Act 233, which he says removed local control. 3 sourcesMeet the candidates running to be Michigan’s next governor (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsMichigan Gov. candidate John James on biggest state issues (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · June 9, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on energy and climate
Selected votes
Jocelyn Benson
No legislative record
John James
Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1, 118th Congress)
EnergyWould increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal and of minerals used in electronics, and reduce permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries and other energy projects.
Passed the House 225–204 on March 30, 2023.
2 sourcesRoll Call 182: H.R. 1, Lower Energy Costs Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 30, 2023 · Legislative recordJohn James (Michigan) (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceVoted yesU.S. House · March 30, 2023
On Passage
House roll call 182, 2023 (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call 182: H.R. 1, Lower Energy Costs Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 30, 2023 · Legislative record
In their own words
Statements
Jocelyn Benson
Electricity costs
I know the next governor of Michigan must ensure we are ending profit-driven rate hikes that have gotten us here, where our electricity bills are going up in some cases more than many other states, and also invest in clean energy infrastructure because frankly, that is the only thing that will reduce our energy costs in the long term.
Jocelyn Benson · First general-election debate with John James, held at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, as reported by Michigan Advance · Oct. 6, 2026
SourceBenson, James tackle affordability, federal relations at first gubernatorial debate (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Oct. 6, 2026 · News
John James
Data centers
Local control. Don’t increase my bills. Take care of my water. No pollution. Prioritize brownfields over productive farmland
John James · Interview with Spectrum News during a campaign stop in Clarkston, Mich., summarizing his approach to data centers · June 8, 2026
SourceMichigan Gov. candidate John James on biggest state issues (opens in a new tab)Spectrum News · June 9, 2026 · News
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