Alternative Energy Projects to Fuel Michigan's Economic Transformation .(MP3- 3MB)

Granholm: Alternative Energy Projects to Fuel Michigan's Economic Transformation Granholm Announces No Worker Left Behind Web Site, Encourages Citizens to Take Advantage of Free Training Granholm Launches No Worker Left Behind Program; Goal to Train 100,000 for High Demand Careers

Michigan’s economy is taking yet another green step forward as we cut the ribbon on the state's largest biodiesel manufacturing facility. The facility, located in Adrian, is known as NextDiesel and will draw on cutting-edge technologies, Michigan’s vast agricultural resources, and our talented work force to produce up to 100 million gallons of biodiesel fuel each year. Biodiesel is a type of clean-burning fuel that’s created from plants like soybeans.

NextDiesel will be the first biofuel plant built in one of our new Alternative Energy Renaissance Zones that offer tax incentives to encourage alternative energy projects. This $20 million investment in Adrian is just the latest addition to our already robust renewable and alternative energy portfolio which includes 20 biofuel plants that are operating, proposed, or coming on line.

Just a few weeks ago, Mascoma Corporation announced that it has chosen Michigan as the place to build a cellulosic ethanol plant. The company is racing to become the first in the nation to produce cellulosic ethanol, which is fuel from wood chips and other non-food plant life. This is important, because we don’t want our pursuit of alternative energy to drive up the cost of the food we buy.

Mascoma’s announcement followed the U.S. Department of Energy‘s announcement that Michigan State University had won the largest research grant in the university’s history – 50 million dollars for research and development of cellulosic ethanol technologies. This will, no doubt, continue to make Michigan a leader in the clean-burning fuel that’s driving the cutting edge of alternative energy.

But alternative energy development in Michigan means more than just biofuel. Investments in Michigan from companies like United Solar Ovonic in Greenville, which produces some of the world’s most advanced solar panels, and John Deere Wind Energy, is building our state’s first commercial wind farm in the Thumb-area, are making Michigan a leader in alternative energy technologies across the board.

Alternative energy advancements can and will power our state’s economic transformation and make Michigan the state that ends our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

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