FARMINGTON HILLS – A coalition of Oakland County legislators, business leaders and clean energy advocates today announced a plan to catapult Michigan forward in alternative energy and make the state a magnet for clean, renewable energy jobs. The plan builds on legislation passed last year and further positions Michigan to meet a growing demand for clean energy workers by offering powerful incentives for renewable energy development and manufacturing, energy efficiency and alternative energy production.
"Creating an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and attracts new businesses is one of my top priorities, and this package is a perfect blend of good public policy, proper environmental stewardship and pro-business practices," said State Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills). "This aggressive job-creation plan will ensure that Michigan is open for business for emerging green industries, diversify Michigan's economy and get thousands of workers back on the job."
The legislation will position Michigan as a leader in producing alternative energy, as well as manufacturing energy-efficient products and components for renewable energy systems. The plan will:
- Create powerful incentives for alternative energy companies to come to Michigan by requiring that 30 percent of our electricity come from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy by 2025. This plan builds on legislation passed last year requiring that 10 percent of Michigan's electricity come from clean, renewable sources by 2015.
- Require utilities to work with their customers to decrease electricity usage so utilities sell 2 percent less energy each year.
- Revise building codes to increase energy efficiency.
- Encourage residents and businesses to become alternative energy entrepreneurs by allowing them to sell excess energy they create via renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines.
"Alternative energy has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs," said State Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac). "Businesses and investors are looking to set up shop in states that lead in this rapidly expanding industry. This policy will position Michigan as the leader in clean energy and help make it a destination for renewable energy companies."
Research continues to show a huge potential for growth in the renewable energy industry. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified Michigan as one of four states that can create more than 30,000 manufacturing jobs in the wind sector alone. According to the 2009 Michigan Green Jobs Report from the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, a sample of more than 350 green-related firms showed job growth of 7.7 percent. In contrast, other Michigan businesses shed jobs at a rate of 5.4 percent.
"Alternative energy companies provide good-paying jobs," said State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak). "Increasing our production of alternative energy will attract job-providers to Michigan and help get our workers back on the job. Let's send our message loud and clear: Michigan workers are ready, willing and able to develop the wind turbines, solar panels and cars of the 21st century."
House Democrats have worked to put Michigan at the forefront of the alternative energy industry by passing the nation's first tax credits – totaling $555 million in incentives – to attract companies that research, develop and manufacture advanced batteries for electric vehicles. As a result of that aggressive strategy, four world-class companies plan to invest a total of $1.7 billion in Michigan and create more than 6,600 jobs.
"Michigan is poised to be the nation's leader in building the wind turbines and solar panels of the future," said State Representative Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods). "As states jockey to attract clean energy jobs, allowing Michigan to fall behind is not an option. Michigan has the highly skilled workers and production facilities necessary to lead the way in alternative energy."
Like renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency has the potential to create thousands of jobs and save consumers money. The Energy Center of Wisconsin estimates that every dollar invested in energy efficiency produces $3 in savings.
"In addition to increasing renewable energy, we need to be sure we're not spending more money on energy than we have to," said State Representative Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield). "By becoming more efficient and using less energy, businesses and consumers can save hundreds of millions of dollars –that's money that can be spent to jumpstart our economy. This plan will go a long way toward diversifying our economy and putting our residents back to work."
Leaders from the clean energy community said the plan will help position Michigan as a leader in alternative energy.
"Re-Energize Michigan proposals can make Michigan a 21st century energy leader and a magnet for good-paying jobs," said Christy McGillivray of Clean Water Action. "Our plan will make a positive change that can help put Michigan back to work."