December 3, 2007
Escanaba paper mill looking to become first to produce bio-fuel from pulp waste
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today met with Upper Peninsula alternative energy companies to talk about the job-creating role alternative energy will play in Michigan's economy. The meeting, held at NewPage Corporation paper mill in Escanaba, was part of a series of meetings the governor is holding to promote the alternative energy industry in Michigan. In August, NewPage formed a partnership with Swedish-based Chemrec AB to explore the possibility of producing renewable biomass-based fuel at the mill. It would be the first mill in North America to produce renewable energy from the waste of the paper pulping process.
"Developing alternative sources of energy is critical for our nation in the 21st century, and it can mean thousands and thousands of jobs for Michigan citizens," Granholm said. "Michigan is the state that put the world on wheels, and with some hard work and a solid plan, we will be the state that revolutionizes the way we fuel our cars and power our homes."
The alternative energy meetings, which Granholm started in early November with representatives from a dozen job-creating companies and projects in the alternative energy sector, will cover ten cities. In addition to Escanaba, Granholm will visit industry leaders in Midland and Oakland County. Meetings have already been held in Lansing, Detroit, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, Eaton Rapids, Grand Rapids and Cassopolis.
Last week, Granholm traveled to California to meet San Francisco-area-based venture capital firms and leaders in the alternative energy sector, encouraging them to make Michigan their premiere choice for future investment. Granholm has long been committed to building the alternative energy industry in Michigan. The 21st Century Jobs Fund, a key component of the governor's economic plan, is working to diversify Michigan's economy by developing high-growth industries in the alternative energy sector.
Earlier this year, Granholm traveled to Sweden, a worldwide leader in alternative and renewable energy, to build relationships with Swedish alternative energy companies that may want to expand and create jobs in Michigan. In addition to the partnership between NewPage and Chemrec, Granholm announced during the trip that the first-ever Sweden-Michigan Alternative Energy Summit will take place early in 2008.
"With our manufacturers being hit hard by the forces of globalization, we need to focus on industries with growing demand, like alternative energy," Granholm said. "Companies like NewPage Corporation are already working to make their manufacturing processes more competitive while creating additional jobs through alternative energy development. This industry has limitless potential. We are going make sure that Michigan is the hub for that future growth and job creation."
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