A new study released by the organization Environment Michigan reports that increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency could create nearly 7,000 jobs, over $3 billion in new salaries, reduce power plant emission 30 percent, and save over $2 billion in energy bills for Michigan residents by 2020. Whew.

“Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Creating Jobs, Reducing Pollution with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electric Power” suggests that Governor Jennifer Granholm’s 21st Century Energy Plan doesn’t go far enough. The Governor’s plan recommends a Renewable Energy Standard of more than 10 percent renewable energy by 2015.

But with an increased need for power, Michigan will have to invest more heavily in renewable energy in order to avoid building more dirty fossil fuel plants. Environment Michigan’s three central policy recommendations from the report are:

• Invest heavily in energy efficiency programs, with the goal to satisfy future growth demand with efficiency improvements.

• Implement a Renewable Energy Standard requiring utilities to get 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025.

• Reject new coal plants or nuclear power proposals. If the above recommendations are adopted, Michigan may avoid building any more new dirty power plants.

With nearly half the country operating some sort of Renewable Energy Standard, Michigan would be in good company, not to mention providing its economy with a much-needed boost.

By the way: I’ve read the comments on my last post and found some good fodder for further discussion of wind power facts and myths. I’ll post more next week, so stay tuned.

Detroit Free Press
Environment Michigan
Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Executive Summary