LANSING-Today executives from several major corporations including General Electric, Cascade Industries and Environmental Power Corp. testified before the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee in support of a strong Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). For more than a year State Senator Jim Barcia (D-Bay City) has championed an aggressive RPS for Michigan that would require 20 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable resources such as wind, biomass, hydro, or solar power by 2020.

“Given our state’s traditionally strong manufacturing sector and talented workforce, Michigan clearly has the resources businesses are looking for to invest in renewable energy technology,” said Barcia. “This fast-growing industry is the ticket to a renewed economy for Michigan and the gateway to creating green collar jobs for our workers. That’s why we need to implement an aggressive strategy soon to capitalize on this exciting new field.”

Michigan’s unique combination of existing manufacturing infrastructure, readily trainable workforce, and natural resources were cited a key components for success in renewable energy development. A study released last year by the Renewable Energy Policy Project found that over 2,000 Michigan businesses could benefit from 34,000 new jobs from wind turbine and solar manufacturing.

“Last May our company announced a new $7.1 million facility in Eaton Rapids to manufacture components used in the assembly of wind turbines,” said Jeff Metts, President of Dowding Industries, Inc. “By passing a strong RPS, Michigan has a tremendous opportunity to be a leader in the production and management of renewable energy and attract even more business investment to the state.”

In addition to Mr. Metts, today’s Senate Committee featured testimony from four energy companies: Seth Dunn, General Manager Strategic Marketing GE Energy; Fred Keller, CEO of Cascade Industries; Nick Fortune, Vice President of Business Development, Environmental Power Corp. and Mark Hall, Sr. Vice President, Environmental Power Corp.

# # #

Sen. Barcia represents Senate District 31 that includes Arenac, Bay, Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties. He is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee where he serves as Minority Vice Chair of the State Police & Military Affairs and Higher Education subcommittee as well as on the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services subcommittees.