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There’s no question that Michigan has the technological know-how to dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. We can make cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas. Wind turbines and solar panels can supply power to millions of homes and businesses. We can make high-performance products and buildings that use a fraction of the energy we use today.

And with war raging in the Middle East, oil and gas prices surging, and global warming threatening our future, we cannot wait. We need to start now. That’s why we asked candidates for office during the 2006 elections to endorse a strong, no-nonsense plan to move our state toward a bold, new energy future.

Background

There’s no question that Michigan has the technological know-how to dramatically reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. We can make cars that go 100 miles on a gallon of gas. Wind turbines and solar panels can supply power to millions of homes and businesses. We can make high-performance products and buildings that use a fraction of the energy we use today. We’re asking citizens to join us in calling on candidates to endorse a bold and sensible plan to move Michigan toward a new energy future.

It’s time for a new energy future.

For decades, government policy favored the oil industry and other powerful energy interests over energy conservation and emerging renewable energy technologies. But now there’s momentum for change. With gas prices passing $3 per gallon, Americans are demanding cars that get better mileage. A June 2006 poll found 79 percent favor standards of at least 40 miles per gallon. With the effects of global warming showing up in our own back yards, 82 percent of Americans support increasing renewable energy. Even President Bush admits that America is “addicted to oil,” and many in Congress are reconsidering their positions on energy conservation and clean energy. But real change will only come when our elected officials are held accountable for concrete actions that can put our country on a new energy path.

We’re calling on candidates for office across Michigan to let voters know where they stand on the following:

1) Harnessing homegrown, renewable, clean energy sources.
I support using homegrown, renewable clean energy sources to produce at least 25% of Michigan’s electricity by 2025.  Michigan has tremendous renewable energy potential.  Wind power alone could generate enough electricity for the state, thus creating jobs and stemming the export of our hard-earned money to other states and countries – currently a $20 billion/year economic drain – in return for dirty, expensive energy.  Michigan should join the 21 states with a Renewable Energy (Portfolio) Standard.

2) Saving energy with high-performance homes and businesses.
If we do nothing, our energy use will continue to increase, leading to even higher prices and reduced economic activity.  Saving energy costs less than half of building new power plants, and can be done quickly and safely while creating new jobs and reducing pollution.  Therefore, I support requiring at least 10% energy use reduction for electricity and home heating by 2025.  I also support minimum efficiency requirements for key appliances and industrial equipment, which would save consumers $2.5 billion over the next 25 years.

3) Investing in a new energy future. 
Michigan needs to create bold initiatives that would finance aggressive research and development of energy saving and renewable energy technologies.  Therefore, I support Michigan committing at least $5 billion over the next 10 years – including current investments in the 21st Century Jobs Fund and elsewhere – to energy ventures that would catapult Michigan into a national energy leader.