michigan bids to get back in the clean energy race for jobs
Gov. Granholm of Michigan spent a good chunk of her annual State of the State message Tuesday night on clean, renewable energy and its potential to help transform the state's economy. The message was badly needed in a state that is still wasting time trying to get back to the good old days of automaking greatness. Autos will always be big in the state's economy, but the chances for the state's economy and environment in coming decades hinge on how large and speedy a commitment the state makes to wind power and energy efficiency over coal.
"Alternative energy companies have watched closely as 25 other states have set aggressive goals for their alternative energy use. We have to meet and beat other states' goals here in Michigan if we are going to attract those companies here," she said. "There is no way to overestimate the importance of setting state renewable energy use goals when it comes to creating jobs."
Granholm also announced that, once lawmakers act on a comprehensive energy package that could encourage Jackson-based Consumers Energy Co. and Detroit Energy to build new generating plants, the two utility giants will begin to jointly invest up to $6 million in Michigan in alternative energy.
About four-fifths of that investment will be in wind turbines and wind farms to produce electricity.
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