Governor’s 45-by-20 plan calls for conservation, alternative energy reliance

by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor

Reaction to Governor Jennifer Granholm?s State of the State speech last week has been positive, both from Wolverine Power and those opposed to the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Presque Isle County.

The governor asked the Legislature to enact ?a bold but achievable new energy standard? to reduce Michigan?s use of imported fossil fuels for generating electricity by 45 percent by the year 2020.

?Michigan will reach this goal by increasing our use of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and other new technologies,? Granholm said. THOSE POSSIBLE energy savings programs could affect the state?s demand for energy, she said.

?That?s why I have directed the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to evaluate, in consultation with our Public Service Commission, both the need for additional electricity generation and all feasible and prudent alternatives before approving new coal-fired power plants in Michigan,? she said.

Wolverine Power, which awaits word from the DEQ on the status of its air quality permit, said the governor?s message works for them. They have anticipated a similar push on the national level and have taken steps to include ?naturally replenishable? sources of energy such as wind and biomass in its clean energy venture.

?Wolverine is encouraged by the priority the Granholm Administration has placed on ensuring that newer, cleaner forms of generation are developed in Michigan. In addition, Governor Granholm?s emphasis on turning our state?s abundant natural resources into renewable fuels fits well with our strategy for use of sustainable biomass at Rogers City. Given the merits of the Rogers City project, we believe that the Administration?s proposed review process for new electric generating plants should not unnecessarily delay a final decision on our air quality permit which is presently under consideration by the Michigan DEQ,? the company said in a written release last week.

According to a company spokesman, Wolverine heard nothing in the governor?s speech that threatens permit requests now pending.

Wolverine already is producing wind energy at the Harvest Wind Farm in Huron County. The wind farm produced 2.5 percent of Wolverine?s needs last year. A test tower near Adam?s Point in Pulawski Township will give information on the feasibility of a wind farm at that site.

THE GOVERNOR?S statements encourage Citizens For Environmental Inquiry (CEI), a group represented by retired judge Joseph Swallow of Alpena. The group filed suit last year asking the governor to enact carbon dioxide emissions standards. The suit is now at the appellate level.

?I commend the Governor for acknowledging the responsibilities of her office as mandated by the Constitution and statutory laws of the state. Hopefully now she will command action equal to the rhetoric. Until then CEI will pursue their lawsuit,? Swallow said.

THE GOVERNOR SHARED highlights of her four-part energy plan in her address last week.

?How will we reach this 45-by-20 goal and get the jobs that come with it? Instead of spending nearly $2 billion a year importing coal or natural gas from other states we?ll be spending our energy dollars on Michigan wind turbines, Michigan solar panels, Michigan energy-efficiency devices, all designed, manufactured and installed by. . .Michigan workers.

?First, I will ask the Legislature to make Michigan the first state in the nation to let every homeowner, every business, become a renewable energy entrepreneur who can make money by installing solar panels or wind systems on their home or business and selling that renewable energy back to the power company. Through this legislation, we will create a powerful new market for large and small turbines and solar panels made by Michigan workers,? she stated.

HER SECOND point is to ask the Michigan Public Service Commission to put utility companies in the energy efficiency business by changing how rates are set.

?Today, these companies make money selling us electricity and natural gas. The more you use, the more money they make. Tomorrow, they?ll make money by helping us use less of both,? she said.

?Instead of investing in new power plants, they will invest in the products and technologies that allow us to use far less energy in our homes. Everything from fuel efficient furnaces to light emitting diodes (LED) lightbulbs will produce lower bills for Michigan consumers and more jobs for Michigan workers.?

She claims that state government has cut electricity use by ?23 percent and saved taxpayers some $60 million over the past three years by installing energy saving lightbulbs.?

THE THIRD POINT in her 45-by-20 plan is to create the Michigan Energy Corps putting thousands of unemployed Michigan citizens back to work this year. ?(They will be) weatherizing homes, schools and other public buildings, installing renewable energy technology, and turning our abundant natural resources into renewable fuels,? Granho

lm said.

?In the next year alone, we?ve set a goal of weatherizing more than 100,000 homes in our state and installing energy efficiency and renewable energy technology in 1,000 buildings. Every one of those projects means new jobs for people who need them right now.?

The fourth part of the plan is to form another new state agency called Michigan Saves. ?Michigan Saves will allow Michigan families and businesses to weatherize their homes and install Michigan-made energy efficiency technology with zero up-front charges. The monthly savings will pay the cost of the improvements,? she said.

The governor also is calling for a study to ?dramatically change the shape and size of state government?reducing the number of our departments from 18 to 8, reforming our civil service system, creating public/private partnerships, and infusing technology everywhere ? because we won?t settle for 9 to 5 government in a 24/7 world.?

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