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| Michigan’s pending renewable electricity standard (RES) would cut pollution, save money, create jobs, and fuel a clean energy boom in our state, as in the other 25 U.S. states that have passed similar policies, according to a new report released today by Environment Michigan Policy & Research Center. Dozens of states are reaping the rewards of their renewable electricity standards – showing how the RES is a win-win policy both environmentally and economically. Environment Michigan is hoping to see both the State Legislature and Congress establish a RES this year. | |
| Today the House of Representatives voted 241-172 to pass “The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act” (H.R. 3221), including an amendment to establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). | |
| Standing in front of a symbolic representation of 200 wind turbines on the lawn of the State Capitol, Environment Michigan and a coalition of environmental and conservation organizations delivered over 14,000 public comments calling for strong clean energy policies. | |
| Michigan needs to take control of its energy future. Instead of spending nearly $20 billion a year importing dirty, expensive non-renewable energy, we can act now to create a smarter energy future for Michigan by investing in homegrown energy efficiency and renewable energy sources such as wind power. Energy efficiency and the development of Michigan’s renewable energy resources will keep money in Michigan’s economy, create thousands of jobs, directly and positively impact electricity and natural gas prices, clean our air and water, reduce global warming pollution, and give us a reliable, renewable source of energy. This should be the core strategy for Michigan’s 21st Century Energy Plan. | |
| A national renewable electricity standard requiring utilities to increase their use of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources would generate 4,800 new number of jobs in Michigan per year, lower electric and natural gas bills, and slash global warming pollution, according to a Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis released today by Environment Michigan. UCS examined the impact of a proposed national standard on the nation as a whole and on 20 states, including Michigan. | |
| With gasoline prices hovering around $3 a gallon and Congress poised to vote on a proposal to increase automobile gas mileage standards to at least 33 miles per gallon (mpg), Environment Michigan marked “Dependence Day” by releasing an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists documenting the benefits of a 33 mpg standard and calling on Representatives Conyers and Schwarz to support it. | |
| Under the guise of “balance”, Consumers Energy is proposing a customer-funded mandate to build at least one dirty new coal plant and return our electricity system to a monopoly. If Consumers is granted its wish, electricity rates will rise to pay Consumers approximately 2 billion dollars to subsidize a dirty coal plant that will further increase Michigan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and increase global warming and air pollution. This 19th Century solution to Michigan’s 21st Century energy needs is a bad deal for Michigan’s economy and environment. Our elected officials should instead chart a course toward clean, homegrown electricity production. | |
| Bold new legislation just introduced in the state legislature would put Michigan on a new energy path by requiring 20% of the state’s electricity to come from clean, renewable sources by 2020. More than 40 legislators in the House and Senate are original co-sponsors of a bill that could position Michigan as the alternative energy epicenter and create thousands of high-tech manufacturing jobs. Combined with strong energy efficiency policy, this bill would save consumers over $2 billion on electricity bills, generate over $3 billion in new salaries and help reduce the $20 billion that Michiganders spend on energy imports every year. | |
| Standing with Mayor Heartwell of Grand Rapids in a Green Building, Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center released an in-depth study showing how clean energy can help revitalize Michigan’s economy. According to an innovative peer-reviewed model in Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Creating Jobs, Reducing Pollution with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electric Power, strong commitments to renewable energy and energy efficiency would generate a number of benefits. | |
| Environment Michigan launched the New Energy Future platform campaign to take advantage of the 2006 Election as an opportunity to show broad public support for moving Michigan beyond fossil fuels and toward a cleaner and more secure energy future. We asked state candidates to endorse the New Energy Future platform, a bold plan to change Michigan’s energy path. The response was tremendous – 32 candidates who signed the platform won re-election, including several with strong leadership potential. | |
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