May 29, 2009
In radio address, governor says we can no longer depend on industries that once were our bedrock
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that Michigan's ongoing efforts in fostering the alternative energy sector and a green economy are more imperative than ever, given this week's particularly gloomy economic news.
"Michigan is going to lead a green industrial revolution in our nation," Granholm said. "We'll be a beacon that guides this country along the path to energy independence."
Granholm said Michigan has the manufacturing infrastructure, skilled workforce, universities and natural resources for a green economy. Michigan will design and manufacture fuel-efficient cars, advanced batteries for electric cars, wind turbines, solar panels and more, she said.
The state, in partnership with the Obama administration, is focusing on three key areas of the new green economy: advanced batteries, wind manufacturing and solar manufacturing. Granholm said Michigan is bidding to be the "worldwide center for advanced battery manufacturing" and has attributes and incentives conducive to wind and solar manufacturers locating here as well.
"For Michigan, growing a green economy means realizing we can no longer depend on the industries that once were our bedrock," Granholm said. "That was painfully demonstrated this week, with more auto suppliers declaring bankruptcy and the General Motors bankruptcy looming as well. To prosper again, we must change."
"Already, our green energy initiatives have launched 43 projects representing $6.4 billion in investments and 19,000 jobs created or retained," Granholm continued. "Through our continued partnerships with the federal government and the private sector, we are witnessing the dawn of a new green economy in Michigan."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at (
www.michigan.gov/gov
) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Green Economy
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
For years, people have thought of Michigan as part of the old Rust Belt. Today, we're changing the color of rust to green. As in green energy, green vehicles and other green technology products.
For Michigan, growing a green economy means realizing we can no longer depend on the industries that once were our bedrock. That was painfully demonstrated this week, with more auto suppliers declaring bankruptcy and the GM bankruptcy looming as well. To prosper again, we must change.
John F. Kennedy said, "Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."
We are not going to miss the future here in Michigan. In fact, we're seizing it. Michigan is going to lead a green industrial revolution in our nation. We'll be a beacon that guides this country along the path to energy independence.
Our state has the manufacturing infrastructure, the skilled workforce, the universities and the natural resources to do it. Michigan will design and manufacture fuel-efficient cars, advanced batteries for electric cars, wind turbines, solar panels and more.
In partnership with the Obama administration, Michigan is focusing on three key areas in our new green economy.
One is advanced batteries. We're going to create an entire new industry that designs and manufactures advanced batteries for green vehicles. To make Michigan the worldwide center for advanced battery manufacturing, we have created the world's most aggressive tax incentives for these companies to locate here. Additionally, the federal Recovery Act earmarks $2 billion for advanced batteries, and five Michigan companies are bidding for portions of those funds.
Another green sector we're targeting is wind manufacturing. We've got a huge opportunity to diversify our manufacturing companies into this fast-growing industry. Wind turbines need exactly the things that Michigan is the best in the world at making: gearboxes, brakes, drive trains and carbon fiber moldings. Most wind turbines are now made in Europe, and they're shipped to Midwestern ports like Duluth for the U.S. market. With Michigan's location on the Great Lakes, we can ship wind turbines faster and at less cost.
Solar manufacturing is our third area of focus. Two of the world's leading solar manufacturers already have operations in Michigan. And our first-of-its-kind state tax credit will attract other companies in the solar manufacturing chain to Michigan as well.
Already, our green energy initiatives have launched 43 projects representing $6.4 billion in investments and 19,000 jobs created or retained. Through our continued partnerships with the federal government and the private sector, we are witnessing the dawn of a new green economy in Michigan.
Thank you for listening.
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