For Release: January 13, 2008, 10 AM EST
Contact: Shelley Vinyard, (734) 662-9797, svinyard@environmentmichigan.org
Michigan Has a Bright Future in Clean Energy
Dearborn, MI – America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment Michigan.
“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Shelley Vinyard, Environmental Associate at Environment Michigan. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Michigan.”
Environment Michigan’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $150 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented. This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution by what scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.
“If we continue with business as usual − dirty energy and highways to nowhere − we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Vinyard. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Vinyard.
While Colorado wind and sun could power the entire United States, every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy. Projects such as the green housing rehabilitation program in Dearborn and the on-site wind and solar installments on government buildings in Grand Rapids, would revitalize the economy and create hundreds of jobs, while also ensuring a safe, clean environment for the future. All across the state of Michigan, we can see opportunities for job creation from investments in green infrastructure. We simply need federal funding to get these projects started.
Environment Michigan’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.
Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand. The complete report can be found at www.EnvironmentMichigan.org.
Environment Michigan warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on Representative John Conyers, Representative John Dingell, and the rest of the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Vinyard.
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Environment Michigan is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. For more information, please visit www.EnvironmentMichigan.org.
