July 02, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2024
New Report: Michigan Leads the Country in Clean Energy Projects from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act
Michigan harnessing federal funding to lead clean energy future, create middle-class manufacturing jobs and lower utility costs for families and businesses
LANSING, Mich. — A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. Bolstered by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for IRA projects, which have resulted in more than $25 billion in new investments across the state. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package and bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
“Michigan has landed more clean energy projects as a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act than any other state,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to the administration and our hardworking congressional delegation, Michigan is positioned to lead the future of clean energy production, which will help us create tens of thousands of good-paying new jobs, drive down costs for families, and protect our precious air, land, and lakes. With all of these new projects and our new 100% clean energy by 2040 standard that we established last year, we are working towards a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future. Let's keep working with our federal partners to win investments and roll up our sleeves to move Michigan forward.”
“I’m proud to have helped pass new laws to invest in our clean energy future and create good-paying, union jobs in mid-Michigan,” said U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee. “These investments are helping to advance clean energy technology and bring clean energy manufacturing jobs back to Michigan. I’m proud to work alongside President Biden and Governor Whitmer to deliver for the people of mid-Michigan.”
“Michigan put the world on wheels, and now we’re leading the country in ushering in a new era of transportation and clean energy,” said U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress to secure investments that are powering the future of clean energy, mobility, and sustainability in Michigan in the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue to work with Governor Whitmer and all our partners to get this funding into our communities.”
Job creation and advanced manufacturing are booming thanks to the IRA with plans for 173 new battery manufacturing sites, 137 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, 166 solar and wind manufacturing plants across the nation and create 312,900 jobs including 21,490 new jobs in Michigan.
"Michigan is seizing every opportunity to organize and empower our communities to secure federal funding for projects that will benefit Michiganders both today and in the future,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Our leadership in landing Inflation Reduction Act investments is a testament to the state's creativity, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to fostering partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. These efforts are crucial for driving projects that enhance the quality of life for our residents, modernize Michigan’s infrastructure, create middle-class jobs, and usher in a clean future.”
Passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest investment in climate and energy in American history. The legislation aims to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, create clean energy jobs, and position the United States as a world leader in clean energy manufacturing. To date, billions of dollars in clean energy investments have been made in Michigan, protecting public health, safeguarding natural resources, and accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. Notable projects funded through the IRA include:
"Creating a future for Michiganders to grow and thrive means prioritizing protecting our natural resources, confronting climate change head-on, and investing in clean energy solutions like solar and batteries," said Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. "The Inflation Reduction Act, combined with Governor Whitmer's landmark clean energy laws and the MI Healthy Climate Plan, has enabled Michigan to make significant strides in these areas. By leveraging federal funding opportunities, we are preserving our environment and paving the way for a more prosperous, sustainable future."
Michigan has taken steps to help businesses, communities, tribes, and families bring home more federal funding for transformational clean energy and infrastructure projects. This includes the creation of the “Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund,” a pool of state resources intended to provide enabling funds to unlock federally backed investments from the IRA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS and Science Act. The fund supports investments in infrastructure, mobility and electrification, climate and the environment, economic development, health, and public safety.
“Michigan is proud to be capitalizing on job-creating opportunities created by federal policies that will benefit current and prospective residents, businesses of all sizes, and the communities that make Michigan great,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “Our unwavering commitment to leveraging these investments is making Michigan the premier destination for advanced manufacturing and creating a robust economy where everyone can ‘Make it in Michigan’ in a climate responsible manner for generations to come.”
For more information about how federal funding is being invested to improve Michigan’s infrastructure, please visit michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The Michigan Infrastructure Office is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.
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