Policymakers, Wayne County Residents: Time is Now to Increase Use of Clean Energy
WAYNE – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters tonight hosted a town hall focused on Michigan’s energy future and increasing Michigan’s use of clean, renewable energy. State Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights), State Representatives Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) and Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights), and Josh Bloom from Bloom General Contracting, Inc. all participated in the event.
“Michigan’s current clean energy policy expires this year, and the time to act is now to make electricity more affordable and grow our economy,” said Rep. LaVoy. “We have a real opportunity to grow Michigan businesses that are already manufacturing and installing products like energy efficient appliances and windows, and components for wind turbines and solar panels.”
Michigan’s current renewable energy and energy efficiency standards are set to expire at the end of this year and state legislators and Gov. Rick Snyder are outlining options for the future of energy policy in Michigan.
“Since our clean energy policy was first passed in 2008, clean energy in Michigan has created thousand of jobs, reined in rising energy costs and reduced our dangerous reliance on coal and oil,” said Rep. Plawecki. “That’s why I’m proud to be a cosponsor of legislation that would increase our renewable energy standard to 20 percent by 2022 and make Michigan a leader in reducing energy waste.”
The Powering Michigan’s Future legislative package, sponsored by Sen. Knezek, and Reps. LaVoy and Plawecki, would:
- Increase Michigan’s renewable energy standard to 20% by 2022
- Double the energy efficiency standard ∙ Eliminate the renewable energy surcharge
- Control energy costs and ensure reliability and affordability
“As a United States Marine Corps veteran, I believe we need to start looking at energy independence as a national security issue,” said Sen. Knezek. “By making the transition to clean, renewable sources of energy here at home, we can reduce our reliance on other nations and improve our economic security.”
“We have tremendous opportunity to increase Michigan’s use of renewable energy — creating jobs, sparking investment and reducing pollution in the air we breathe and the water we drink,” said Charlotte Jameson, policy manager for Michigan LCV. “Michigan’s clean energy sector supports 20,000 jobs and $5 billion annually. The time is now to build upon this success.”