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Executive Summary
Michigan stands at a critical energy crossroads
in 2007. Traditional sources of energy continue to become more risky and
expensive. Inevitable restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions promise to
escalate energy costs for years to come.
However, there is
reason for optimism in Michigan.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, industry, labor, the faith community,
small business, and farmers are all realizing Michigan needs to invest in
cleaner sources of power to compete in the 21st Century. The important
question in 2007 is whether Michigan
becomes an energy leader or whether we continue a “business-as-usual” fossil
fuel based energy economy.
Michigan spends about $20 billion each year on
imported fuels, virtually all of which are polluting and non-renewable (63 percent
from coal, 23percent from nuclear, 10 percent from natural gas and only percent from renewable
sources). Fuels for electric power plants make up a large
portion of this price tag. This dependence on imported fossil fuels harms our
public health, natural resources, and struggling economy.
Fortunately, there are
home-grown, cleaner alternatives that can address these concerns and create
thousands of new jobs.
Michigan needs to formally commit to and
prioritize renewable energy and energy efficiency as a
part of its electricity resource mix. The rules of the game need to change to make
Michigan more
globally competitive, protect public health and preserve
our Great Lakes way of life.
Michigan must position itself for this new energy
era and join over 25 other states that have formally
embraced clean energy through statewide policies. To do this, Michigan will have to 1) Dramatically cut energy
demand through efficiency, which provides energy
at less than half the cost of energy from a new power plant; 2) Commit to
making Michigan’s
significant untapped renewable resources a part of the state’s
electricity portfolio; and 3) Develop a statewide energy strategy that
prioritizes energy efficiency and renewables and requires fair comparisons of clean
energy costs with traditional energy costs through integrated resource
planning.
An energy plan that
embraces these strategies will help Michigan
achieve greater energy independence,
create thousands of new jobs, and enable healthier communities while
addressing the critical issue of climate change.
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