September 7, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today celebrated the grand opening of the Southfield Sunoco E85 pump and called for Michigan to take the lead in reducing the demand for foreign oil.

"Michigan is moving aggressively to increase the production and use of alternative fuels," Granholm said.  "With organizations like NextEnergy, Michigan State University, and others attracting cutting-edge research and development in the ethanol and biofuels industries, Michigan can be the state that reduces our nation's dependence on foreign oil."

Granholm joined with the Southfield Sunoco, the City of Southfield, NextEnergy, the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, and Corrigan Oil to celebrate the grand opening.

Southfield Sunoco's new E85 pump combines 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline to be used in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).  Alternative fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel reduce negative impacts on the environment, decrease dependence on foreign oil, and positively impact Michigan's economy and employment.  The governor has called for 1,000 biofuel pumps dispensing E85 ethanol or biodiesel in the state by 2008 as part of her plan to diversify the economy.  Currently, there are 115 biofuel stations in Michigan across the state.

"We must take advantage of this opportunity, this moment, and our rich natural resources, agriculture sector, and high concentration of engineering and science talent in order to strengthen our economy in the 21st century," Granholm said.

The station was awarded a $3,675 grant from NextEnergy Center in Detroit and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).  NextEnergy, the Clean Energy Coalition, and DLEG provide biofuels grant incentives to stations that convert existing equipment or install new equipment to dispense biodiesel and E85. 

Governor Granholm has a comprehensive economic plan to grow and diversify Michigan's economy.  As part of the plan, the state's alternative energy sectors are being targeted to help revitalize Michigan's economy.  Recent alternative energy investments are making Michigan a leader in alternative energy technologies across the board.  These investments include:

- The 21st Century Jobs Fund targeting $50 million for the research, development, and commercialization of alternative energy and renewable energy projects in the state;
 
- Mascoma Corporation, choosing Michigan as the place to build a cellulosic ethanol plant;

- Hemlock Semiconductor, the world's leading producer of polycrystalline silicon for solar cells, investing $1.5 billion for three recent expansions in Michigan;

- United Solar Ovonic, which produces some of the world's most advanced solar panels, adding three new plants in Auburn Hills and Greenville; and,

- John Deere Wind Energy, building the state's first commercial wind farm in the Thumb region.

"This is a great, green step forward, and this is part of a wave of alternative energy projects sprouting up across the state," Granholm said. 

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