DEQ Director Steven E. Chester issued the following statement in response to the macro-economic study that was released this morning showing the positive effects enacting the recommendations of the Michigan Climate Action Council's Final Report would have on Michigan's economy.

"This economic study confirms that we can have both a healthy environment and a healthy economy," said Director Steven Chester.  "As documented in the study, implementing policies that reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, promote energy efficiency, and increase the use of renewable and alternative energy will improve the quality of our environment, grow Michigan's economy and create thousands of jobs."

The macro-economic study can be found online at:  http://www.climatestrategies.us/ewebeditpro/items/O25F22416.pdf.  A summary of the report's findings is also available online at: http://www.climatestrategies.us/ewebeditpro/items/O25F22417.pdf.

Editor's note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"