A ballot proposal designed to greatly boost Michigan’s renewable energy production was cast aside not by political opponents but instead by an agreement with the state’s two utility giants, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, to voluntarily meet a goal of 50 percent clean energy production by 2030.

The unusual pact was announced this afternoon after environmental groups had collected 350,000 signatures advocating 30 percent green energy across Michigan within the next 12 years.

The accord allows the utility companies to reach the 50 percent threshold by ensuring that 25 percent of their energy production comes from clean energy such as wind and solar, while the other 25 percent would be accomplished through energy efficiency programs that would dramatically reduce the amount of electricity produced by coal-burning power plants.

DTE Energy CEO Gerry Anderson and Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe, in a joint statement, thanked the petition drive leaders for “understand(ing) our commitment to carbon reduction and how Michigan’s energy plan puts the tools in place to achieve this goal in a thoughtful and affordable manner.”

Controversial billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer of California, who was largely funding the drive, agreed to set aside the petitions collected.

In a statement, Styers said: “Michigan has become a national example of how consumers, public interest advocates and energy companies can work together to find real solutions to combat climate change.”

Environmental activists were thrilled with the outcome. Michigan Environmental Council president Chris Kolb said the 50 percent standard for green energy will pay off with cleaner air and water and new jobs for Michigan residents.

“Since state lawmakers enacted current clean energy benchmarks in 2008 — later extending them in 2016 — solar and wind developers and energy efficiency manufacturers and contractors have created tens of thousands of good jobs in the Great Lake State,” Kolb said. “In addition to saving consumers millions and driving down the price of renewables, our clean energy laws have spurred major air quality improvements and reduced our energy sector’s greenhouse gas emissions.”