Directive implements recommendations ofMichigan Climate Action Council

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Directive 2009-4 implementing several recommendations from the Michigan Climate Action Council that will help Michigan reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

"The old argument that anything that helps the environment has to hurt the economy is over," Granholm said.  "The steps I'm taking today and the other recommendations of the Michigan Climate Action Council will save Michigan businesses and citizens money, create new jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy."       

To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the executive directive calls for the state to take several actions.  They include:  

• revising building codes to include higher energy efficiency standards;    
• reducing vehicular congestion in major urban areas by expanding the use of intelligent transportation systems, mitigating bottlenecks, and constructing roundabouts;    
• developing a truck idling program for the state fleet of trucks, buses and heavy-duty equipment that will reduce emissions created by unnecessary idling;    
• creating an eco-driver program for all employees using state vehicles that will educate them on how to maximize vehicle fuel economy;    
• expanding the Michigan Conservation and Climate Initiative to educate farmers in carbon sequestration (capture) practices that can be applied to their land.

Granholm created the 35-member Michigan Climate Action Council by executive order in November 2007.  The council was charged with compiling a comprehensive climate action plan with recommended greenhouse gas reduction goals along with potential actions to mitigate climate change. The Council unanimously recommended that Michigan should set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020, and by 80 percent by the year 2050. 

The council included representatives from Michigan's Big 3 automakers, two major utilities and municipal utilities, Dow Chemical, Delta Airlines, the agricultural and forest industries, labor unions, academics, environmental groups, Native American tribes and state and local governments.

All of the recommendations in the Michigan Climate Action Plan are available at http://www.miclimatechange.us/  

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