House Dems release renewable energy plan, NextEnergy hopeful of its benefits, passage

Michigan House Democrats have begun drafting a renewable energy plan that calls for a major increase in production and use of such energy sources here in Michigan. Detroit's NextEnergy, the state's alternative energy advocate, is supportive of its initial concepts and hopeful of its passage through the House and Senate.

Excerpt:

NextEnergy's Mark Beyer says the most significant component of the proposal is the establishment of Renewable Portfolio Standards for the state requiring 10% of Michigan's energy production to come from renewable sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric and biomass by 2015 and 25% by 2025. A NextEnergy report about RPS that was submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality explored the effects of such a program on the state's economy and found it to be extraordinarily beneficial.

Beyer explains, "It would put people to work and decrease the cost of inputting energy. RPS is an attractive lure to [alternative energy companies] from out-of-state and out-of-the nation."

Read the entire metromode article here.



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