MONROE – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) hosted a town hall meeting Monday evening to discuss an aggressive plan to establish Michigan as a 21st century powerhouse of renewable energy production.
"Michigan is well-positioned to become a leader in renewable energy production," Ebli said. "With this comprehensive plan, we can catapult our state to the forefront of the fast-growing renewable energy sector."
Ebli is a member of the House Energy and Technology Committee and also sits on the Midwestern Legislative Conference's Energy Committee, a regional bipartisan committee of legislators working to ensure that the Midwest continues to take a lead role in the nation's energy policy.
Guest panelists at the town hall meeting included Mike Shriberg, director of Environment Michigan; Jason Thibert, owner of Best Electric/Independent Energy; Sue Browne, regional organizer for Blue-Green Alliance; and Janet Ryan of the IHM Leadership Council.
The 21st Century Renewable Energy Plan:
- Require that renewable energy sources – such as solar, wind, hydroelectric and biomass-based power – account for 10 percent of the state's energy production by 2015. The plan sets a goal of 25 percent by 2025.
- Foster more "alternative-energy renaissance zones" to spur investment.
- Promote energy conservation through updated construction codes and consumer tax credits for energy-efficient appliances.
- Establish a statewide target of reducing electricity consumption by 1 percent per year.
A program focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency would create tens of thousands of new jobs and pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Michigan's economy, according to a recent NextEnergy study prepared for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
"In order to turn Michigan's economy around, it's crucial that our state attract cutting-edge businesses that create jobs – and this plan does that," Ebli said. "The time to act is now."