CANTON – A coalition of Wayne 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 growing demand for clean energy workers by offering powerful incentives for renewable energy development and manufacturing, energy efficiency and alternative energy production.
"With our highly-skilled workforce and first-rate manufacturing facilities, our state is well-positioned to take the reins as the nation's leader in alternative energy," said State Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton), who sponsored recent legislation that helped attract major advanced battery manufacturers to Michigan. "This plan will put our hard-working men and women back on the job producing the wind turbines and solar panels that will power America's future."
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.
"Focusing our efforts on the renewable energy industry is vital to rebuilding our economy and creating 21st century jobs for our workers," said State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville). "Renewable energy is growing by leaps and bounds, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and bringing in billions of dollars in investment across the nation and world. It's time for Michigan to take its place in the new global economy before these jobs and investments pass us by."
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 businesses in Michigan lost jobs at a rate of 5.4 percent.
The House has worked to put Michigan at the forefront of the alternative energy industry by passing a plan sponsored by Slavens to expand 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.
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.
"Whether it's more efficient light bulbs or improved building designs, focusing our resources toward energy efficiency is a win-win for Michigan consumers and businesses," said State Representative Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown). "That return on our investment is money that can go back into our local economy and create jobs for our hard-working men and women right here in Wayne County. Energy efficiency will be a major asset in competing in the 21st century economy, and this plan will ensure that Michigan is a big player."
Donna Napolitano, president of Mechanical Energy Systems, applauded the legislation. The Canton-based company sells and installs solar panels that help homeowners and businesses save money and energy.
"This plan will provide incentives for small businesses like Mechanical Energy Systems to grow and create more jobs right here in Michigan," Napolitano said. "After nearly 25 years in business, we're eager to expand our operations and offer more alternative energy options to more residential and commercial customers."
Leaders from the clean energy community said the plan will help position Michigan as a leader in alternative energy.
"The Re-Energize Michigan plan is the shot-in-the-arm that our economy needs," said Mike Shriberg of the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center. "We cannot afford to turn our backs on this important opportunity to bring jobs and investment back to Michigan."