By Staff
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm Wednesday told the Michigan Climate Action Council that their recommendations on how Michigan can address climate change will have a dramatic and positive effect on Michigan's efforts to grow the economy and create jobs, which is a key component of her economic plan.
The governor made her remarks at the opening meeting of the council, which she established by executive order in November.
"For us in Michigan, addressing climate change is about more than just protecting our environment or reducing global warming; it's all about creating jobs and transforming our economy," Granholm told the 35-member council. "Whether we are focused on energy conservation or alternative energy, it's all going to require research and development (R&D) and technology. Those activities are job producers that can mean thousands of jobs right here in Michigan."
Granholm cited a report from the non-profit American Solar Energy Society that predicts:
As many as one out of four workers in the U.S. will be working in the renewable energy or energy efficiency industries by 2030;
By the year 2030, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the U.S. but only with the appropriate public policy, including a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education and R&D;
The 40 million jobs that could be created in renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030 are not just engineering-related but also include millions of new jobs in manufacturing, construction, accounting and management;
Renewable energy and energy efficiency industries today generate nearly $1 trillion in revenue in the U.S., contributing more than $150 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local levels.
Over the past six weeks, the governor met with 59 alternative energy companies around the state, all of whom are growing now or plan to expand in the future.
In August, Granholm traveled to Sweden on an investment mission focused on alternative energy where she announced that Swedish-based Chemrec AB and Ohio-based NewPage Corp. are studying the possible development of a renewable biomass fuel plant at the NewPage paper mill in Escanaba.
Last week, the governor traveled to Washington where she met with U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, the assistant secretary for renewable energy and Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafstrom to push for federal support for that project.
In her remarks, Granholm charged the council with:
Producing an inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions in Michigan and their sources from 1990 to 2020;
Compiling a comprehensive state climate change action plan with specific recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
Working with local units of government and institutions of higher education to assist them in meeting the challenges of climate change.
An interim report from the council will be submitted to the governor by April 30, 2008, and a final report is due by Dec. 31, 2008.
"The strategies and technologies we develop to address climate change can both put people to work and protect our environment," Granholm said.
"Michigan has a tremendous opportunity to affirm our role as a leader in environmental protection while at the same time bringing new opportunities, economic development and high-tech jobs to our state."
The Michigan Climate Action Council is comprised of 35 representatives from public interest groups, environmental organizations, utilities, the manufacturing sector and other key industries, universities and state and local government.