Over 14,000 public comments delivered to Senator Patterson, legislative
leaders
Lansing, MI—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.
“This representation of 200
wind turbines is symbolic of the new energy future we envision for the state of
Michigan –
one with clean, pollution free electricity that would create thousands of
jobs,” said Environment Michigan Field Director Abby Rubley. “They represent enough power for 140,000
homes (every household in Ingham
County) and over 600 new direct jobs.”
Thousands of citizens and dozens
of advocacy groups are asking Senator Patterson, Chair of the Senate Energy
Policy Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Bishop to require 20% of Michigan’s electricity to come from renewable energy by
2020 and to restart Michigan’s
energy efficiency programs with a goal of saving 1% of our electricity each
year. With over half a dozen clean energy
bills already introduced in both houses, the Michigan Legislature is expected
to take action soon after its summer recess.
This message from Michigan
citizens also aligns perfectly with the clean energy debate that is heating up
on the federal stage – with the U.S. House debating a 20% by 2020 federal renewable
energy standard this week.
“After talking to over 50,000
Michiganders, the message is clear – Michigan
is ready for a cleaner, cheaper energy future that stimulates rather than
drains our economy,” said Rubley.
“Michiganders want our energy needs to be met by clean, homegrown
resources, not the polluting resources of the past.”
Currently, 23 states plus the
District of Columbia have passed legislation
requiring a percentage of their electricity to come from clean renewable sources
– including Michigan’s Great Lakes neighbors Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
Also, twenty-two states have successful energy
efficiency programs that are saving their rate payers millions while protecting
their environment. Michigan has neither.
The
public comments are part of the efforts of a coalition of over 20 environmental,
faith based and labor organizations calling on the legislature to enact “strong
clean energy policies that will create thousands of new jobs, reduce the
current $20 billion drain on our economy, enable healthier communities, and
reduce our global warming emissions.”
“Michiganders are supporting
the consensus that clean energy is a big part of the how America will
develop good jobs and lead the world technologically and economically” stated
Kim Pargoff, Energy Advocate for Environment Michigan. “Given our economic situation, Michigan citizens are
truly ready to harness our technological know-how and create the jobs of today
and tomorrow while protecting our environment and way of life.”
These citizen comments also
come on the heels of several key reports outlining the economic and
environmental benefits of a strong state commitment to renewable energy. According to NextEnergy, the Detroit Economic
Growth Corporation and Environment Michigan Research & Policy
Center, if Michigan were to adopt strong clean energy
policies it would create 7,000 – 19,000 new jobs. Additionally we would see at least a 30%
reduction in global warming and other pollution from power plants.
“The Michigan Senate needs to
heed the progress of other states,” says Brian Beauchamp with the League of
Conservation Voters. “Michigan
has the opportunity to make new investments in the economy, protect the Great Lakes and once again become a leader in
technological development, but we must act now.”
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Environment Michigan
is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
