Yesterday, I had the chance to speak at the Energy Summit put on by the Michigan Laborers District Council about the job opportunities in Michigan’s emerging clean energy economy. While there is no question that this devastating recession has hit Michigan’s working families hard, there is solid evidence that our efforts to make Michigan a [...]
Category Archives: Renewable Energy
Some green news on Earth Day: Deutsche Bank highlights green jobs success
April 22, 2010 – 10:22 pm
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, an OpEd in today’s Detroit News suggests that Michigan has much to gain in the emerging green economy. Kevin Parker, the global head of Deutsche Bank’s asset management division, highlights the connection between protecting our environment and creating the clean energy jobs of the future. Where [...]
New Energy for Michigan
September 18, 2008 – 12:28 pm
(Part 6 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) This week’s installment of our plan to get Michigan moving again focuses squarely on renewable energy issues and their potential to help get Michigan’s economy back on track. I know I’ve covered much of this before, [...]
Where We are Different
September 17, 2008 – 2:44 pm
For the past 2 years, legislators in Lansing have been dragging their feet about whether or not to pass the renewable energy portfolio standard. C’mon already! Time and time again I have highlighted the importance of Michigan’s investment in renewable energy. The faster we pass this legislation; the sooner companies will be given the go-ahead [...]
What's Next: Building on Michigan's Competitive Advantages to Create Jobs Now
August 21, 2008 – 1:40 pm
(Part 2 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work) Last week I outlined just how important it is to get the fundamentals right to get Michigan’s economy back on track. This week we take the next step, looking at how we in Michigan can promote [...]
Scripps Calls for Action Now to Provide Relief at the Pump
July 7, 2008 – 3:53 pm
Plan will encourage production of alternative fuels, jumpstart economy LUDINGTON – As gas prices soared over the holiday weekend, Democratic House hopeful Dan Scripps today called on the State Senate to take action on a plan that will bring motorists the relief they need by encouraging alternative fuel production in Michigan, which will decrease our [...]
GOP aims for the bottom on renewable energy jobs
July 1, 2008 – 6:16 pm
There is a growing awareness that Michigan is incredibly well poised to take advantage of opportunities in the renewable energy field. With incredible wind potential, a number of idle manufacturing plants that could be retrofitted for renewable energy manufacturing and a skilled workforce, Michigan should be a global leader in renewable energy production and innovation. [...]
Michigan Energy Fair 2008
June 25, 2008 – 3:17 pm
Michigan Energy Fair Friday, June 27nd – Sunday, June 29th, 2008 in Onekama, MI at the Manistee County Fairgrounds This weekend marks the 3rd Annual Michigan Energy Fair put on by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association that will be held right in the heart of the 101st District at the Manistee County Fair Grounds [...]
What’s the matter with Kansas?
October 29, 2007 – 4:11 pm
Since Thomas Frank released the book in 2004, ”What’s the matter with Kansas?” has become synonymous with what many consider a misguided approch to politics and government. A couple of headlines from recent weeks, however, question whether we here in Michigan may in fact want to adopt some of the actions of the Sunflower State. [...]
A way forward: making Michigan a global capital for renewable energy
May 31, 2007 – 10:58 am
There’s a good piece over on MichiganLiberal (hat tip to Eric B.) on the economic opportunities of renewable energy and environmental protection, and it triggered a lot of what I’ve been thinking as I’ve watched from the outside as Lansing struggles with our budget dilemmas. Too often, Lansing seems trapped in old paradigms, unable to [...]
