LANSING ? Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said on Thursday that she supports the national goal of increasing renewable fuel usage to 25 percent by the year 2025.
The governor announced her support of the project, called “25 x 25,” during a conference call in which she also outlined state-level efforts to lessen consumption of oil and increase ethanol and bio-diesel usage.
Granholm, who joined Oregon Governor Red Kulongoski, in the teleconference, said supporting the project (which was designed by the national Agriculture Energy Working Group and is supported by the Energy Future Coalition, Big Three automakers and many in Congress) is just the latest in a long list of initiatives on her part to lower the cost of gas and Michigan’s consumption levels.
She said it is Michigan’s “moral obligation” as the motor capitol to “be the state that makes the U.S. independent of foreign oil.”
In May, the governor sent an online petition signed by more than 275,000 state residents urging President George W. Bush to cap profits and get rid of billions of dollars in federal tax incentives for oil companies.
Granholm said that as long as oil companies continue to make record profits, “sticker shock” at the pump is not likely to lessen.
She also mentioned the 21st Century Jobs Fund, which was largely created to attract companies interested in researching and developing alternative energy sources while also bringing more good-paying jobs to the state.
Other initiatives she touted were her partnerships with the Big Three automakers to get hybrid vehicles in the state fleet; a plan to create renaissance zones in Michigan that would attract more bio fuel plants; and a partnership with the auto industry and retailers to make Ethanol available at the pump.
The Legislature is also working to finalize a package of bills aimed at increasing the state’s involvement with alternative fuel.
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