DETROIT – A coalition of Detroit 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.
"We have to show alternative energy job providers that Michigan is serious about doing business in this rapidly growing industry," State Representative Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) said. "This plan will help make Michigan a leader in alternative energy and get our residents 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.
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.
"As our city and entire state continue to feel the strain of rising unemployment, we need to do all we can to support our working families," said State Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), a sponsor of the plan. "A strong alternative energy plan that includes energy efficiency and home weatherization will create thousands jobs, pump hundreds of millions of dollars into our economy, and save consumers money. Michigan must act now to capitalize on the alternative energy industry to power our economic recovery."
House lawmakers 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.
"The alternative energy industry continues to expand and create jobs," said State Representative Bert Johnson (D-Detroit). "Michigan has the workforce and resources to jump to the forefront of clean energy production and manufacturing. By championing clean energy standards and energy efficiency, our state will bring the jobs necessary to help Detroit and our state rebound from this recession."
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.
"Alternative energy and Michigan are a perfect match," State Representative David Nathan (D-Detroit) said. "With our highly skilled workers and top-notch manufacturing facilities, especially right here in Detroit, we have the ready-made resources that will attract renewable energy companies and allow them to hit the ground running."
State Representative Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) said: "Michigan has the opportunity to gain a position at the front of the alternative energy field. Our state has tremendous potential to manufacture the solar panels, wind turbines and advanced batteries that will power our nation's future. This groundbreaking plan is exactly what our state, businesses and workers need."
Leaders from the clean energy community said the plan will help position Michigan as a leader in alternative energy.
"Families across Detroit want good-paying jobs and homes that are safe in winter," said Roshani Dantas of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, who joined lawmakers today at TechTown, Wayne State University's Research and Technology Park. "By investing in clean Michigan energy and winter weatherization programs, we can help re-open closed auto plants across metro Detroit and protect our most vulnerable citizens. The Re-Energize Michigan plan will bring in good-paying jobs. The plan will send the signal that Detroit and Michigan put jobs, families and our future first."