MANISTEE – A coalition of legislators, business leaders and clean energy advocates today joined State Representative Dan Scripps (D-Leland) in front of MasTech Manufacturing in Manistee 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.
"The alternative energy industry is poised to provide the kind of jobs that once anchored the middle class," said Scripps, a sponsor of the plan. "As we produce more renewable energy, companies with good-paying, green-collar jobs will look at Michigan as a state open for business. By developing the wind turbines, solar panels and the cars of the future, Michigan can help our nation reduce its dependence on foreign oil."
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.
"Just as Michigan made the vehicles that changed the world, so too can we make the wind, solar and other technologies that will change the way we use energy," Scripps said. "Michigan can be a leader in this dynamic and thriving industry, but we must act quickly to seize this opportunity. Too many jobs for our workers are at stake.
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 Michigan businesses shed jobs at a rate of 5.4 percent.
Scripps has worked to put Michigan at the forefront of the alternative energy industry by voting to pass 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.
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.
Scripps was joined by John Holcomb, General Manager of MasTech Manufacturing, in announcing the plan. MasTech recently started manufacturing at an expansion in Manistee that develops a wind turbine for residential use called the Windspire, in a partnership with Nevada-based Mariah Power.
"We've long been a supplier for the auto industry, and last year, we were hurting," Holcomb said. "We were down to fewer than 10 people and things were looking bleak. But when we partnered with Mariah Power to make the Windspire, everything turned around for us. Our 30 employees are making 150 Windspires a month now, and we're still growing. Renewable energy has made these jobs possible for these former autoworkers, and with this plan, there's no place to go but up."
Leaders from the clean energy community said the plan will help position Michigan as a leader in alternative energy.
"Michigan families need good-paying jobs, not more delays," said Jim Dulzo of the Michigan Land Use Institute. "Re-Energize Michigan! can help make Michigan a clean energy leader, attract businesses, grow investments and create jobs for our citizens."