April 27, 2007
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today touted the opportunities for job creation and economic growth if Michigan adopts a plan to move to renewable energy sources and continues to pursue investments in alternative energy. At the same time, she said she has been working around the clock to find a solution to Michigan's budget crisis that will allow the state's economic plan, including investments in alternative energy, to move forward.
"Michigan is in the perfect position to lead the nation - and the world - in researching and developing alternative and renewable energy solutions," Granholm said. "We've got 11 ethanol and biodiesel plants coming on line across our state. Our 21st Century Jobs Fund awarded nearly $9 million last year to alternative energy projects that will create over 750 Michigan jobs, and we'll have 1,000 biofuel pumps in our state by the end of 2008."
This weekend, Granholm will be visiting the NextEnergy Center in Detroit. NextEnergy encourages the research and development of alternative energy technologies by providing technical facilities and promoting private investment in this sector.
Recently, researchers at NextEnergy completed a study of the economic and environmental impact of Granholm's 21st Century Energy Plan. They found that it will create up to 19,000 jobs and increase the state's economic output by $1.6 billion, while setting Michigan on a course to use renewable sources for 20 percent of the state's energy consumption by 2025. Diversifying Michigan's energy portfolio and promoting energy efficiency will allow the state to meet increasing energy needs without increasing citizens' reliance on fossil fuels.
Granholm said, "The technologies we are investing in and that are growing our economy will allow Michigan citizens and our visitors to continue to enjoy our state's natural beauty and plentiful natural resources - air that is clean, water that is pure, and natural ecosystems that are protected from pollution and conserved for future generations. That's part of what makes Michigan such a magical place to live."
Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm's radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Website.
Publishers Note: The text of today's address is attached.
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