Clean Energy In the News

The News' diatribe against Environment Michigan and the New Energy Future platform ("Sound science, business needed with energy plan," Nov. 8) comes to a nonsensical conclusion: that committing to clean, homegrown energy is somehow bad for Michigan's economy.

The most egregious error in The News' attack on clean energy is calling the assertion that wind energy can power the state a "questionable conclusion at best." In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Michigan has 60,000 megawatts of total wind energy potential, more than double the state's electricity needs. Michigan has more wind energy potential than California and our Great Lakes neighbors.

Of course, no one is suggesting we tap all this potential right now, but surely we can do far better than the three commercial wind turbines we have, which supply about 5 megawatts.

Worse is The News' assertion that backing clean energy is "irresponsible," "nearly impossible" and will somehow drive out business. What's truly irresponsible is our current energy path, which relies on approximately $20 billion per year in energy imports -- sending our hard-earned money to other states and countries while receiving unstable prices and pollution in return.

The 21 states that have committed to renewable energy standards are seeing increases in economic output due to attracting clean energy business, keeping money in the state, lowering energy prices and protecting valuable natural resources and citizen's health.

The New Energy Future platform -- endorsed by more than 250 groups nationwide (including some prominent Michigan business leaders) and 86 state candidates from both parties --is designed to break the political logjam and help Michigan to diversify and revitalize its economy.

Mike Shriberg
Director
Environment Michigan
Ann Arbor