The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
STATEMENT: Governor Whitmer Applauds President Biden's Executive Order on Combating Climate Change & Zero-Emissions Vehicles
August 05, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2021 Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
STATEMENT: Governor Whitmer Applauds President Biden's Executive Order on Combating Climate Change & Zero-Emissions Vehicles
LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Whitmer issued the following statement after President Biden signed an Executive Order that sets an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. Additionally, President Biden announced a proposed rule to revamp fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions standards to save consumers money, cut pollution, protect public health, advance environmental justice, and tackle the climate crisis.
"President Biden's announcement demonstrates that his Administration is committed to creating good-paying jobs and taking concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis," said Governor Whitmer. "This Executive Order will bolster the automotive industry in Michigan and across the United States by accelerating innovation and manufacturing while prioritizing the importance of combating climate change. Paired with the President's ambitious infrastructure plans, today's executive order will ensure we continue to lead the world on mobility and electrification while highlighting the need to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure here in Michigan and across the United States.
"President Biden is sending a clear message that we can combat climate change while creating good-paying, union jobs right here in Michigan and across the country. Bold actions like today's will be critical within the next ten years to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change."
In September of 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-182 and Executive Directive 2020-10 to create the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The governor's comprehensive plan protects Michiganders' public health and the environment and help develop new clean energy jobs by putting Michigan on a path towards becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2050. The MI Healthy Climate Plan, a plan to move all sectors of our economy to carbon neutral by 2050 and ensures marginalized communities impacted by climate change will benefit from our energy transition.
Executive Directive 2020-10 formally sets the goal of economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. Transitioning to carbon neutrality will mitigate the future harms of climate change and enable Michigan to take full advantage of the ongoing global energy transformation-from the jobs it will generate for our skilled workforce, to the protections it will provide for natural resources, to the savings it will bring to communities and utility customers. ### |