GREENVILLE – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) joined a coalition of legislators, business leaders and clean energy advocates today to announce 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.
"Michigan is poised to gain tens of thousands of good-paying jobs by investing in the renewable energy industry," said Valentine, a sponsor of one of the bills in the plan. "No other state has the quality workers that we do in Michigan. Our hard-working men and women have the opportunity to be leaders in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world."
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.
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.
Valentine has worked to put Michigan at the forefront of the alternative energy industry by voting for 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.
Leaders from the clean energy community said the plan will help position Michigan as a leader in alternative energy.
"Michigan has an opportunity to make a positive change on energy and the Re-Energize Michigan plan provides us with this important opportunity," said Marta Johnson of Clean Water Action. "Re-Energize Michigan will keep Michigan dollars here, create Michigan jobs and strengthen Michigan businesses."
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.
"Renewable energy will be key to making Michigan a leader in the 21st century economy," Valentine said. "We must act now to create the jobs of the future here in Michigan."