Energy innovation can generate 6,800 jobs, save $2.2 billion in fuel costs
An aggressive agenda to promote energy conservation and innovation in Michigan could generate 6,800 jobs, reduce statewide fuel spending by $2.2 billion, and cutback the power plant emissions linked to global warming by as much as 30 percent, according to a new report by Environment Michigan.
The report, Energizing Michigan’s Economy, was released yesterday at the offices of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council in the East Hills neighborhood.
“Now is the time for Michigan to take bold steps towards becoming the epicenter of clean energy development,” Mike Shriberg, director of Environment Michigan, said in a press statement. “Doing so will reinvigorate our economy, create jobs for today and tomorrow, save consumers money, and protect our environment.”
The 6,800 jobs, which could total $3.3 billion in salaries, would be generated, for example, by investing to build new power-generating wind and solar facilities. The $2.2 billion in energy savings could come from energy conservation, eliminating the need to build additional power plants, and reducing the $20 billion per year that Michigan spends to import energy.
The State of Minnesota already has generated as many as 5,000 jobs building and expanding ethanol plants. And a recent report in Ohio suggested the state could establish as many as 22,000 jobs by aggressively pursuing the alternative energy industry.
Energizing Michigan’s Economy just weeks after the release of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm’s 21st Century Energy Plan. It also comes as several West Michigan lawmakers introduce legislation to implement renewable energy goals and standards in Michigan.
Click here to read the full report.
Source: West Michigan Environmental Action Council
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