Poll: Majority of Michiganders back clean energy legislation Read Comments
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:47 p.m.

Read more: State, Business, Environment, Michigan, Clean Energy Legislation, Poll

From Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications ...

 

LANSING – Michigan residents are thirsting for change in federal clean energy policies, according to poll results set to be released Wednesday by one of the nation’s most respected polling firms.

Leaders from business to science to labor called for quick action as clean energy legislation, known as the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act, is being introduced in the U.S. Senate.

“Michigan voters believe that clean energy legislation will help recharge the economy and help Michigan become a leader in clean, alternative energy, and create jobs and bring business to the state by an overwhelming margin,” said Al Quinlan, vice president of national polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “The research clearly indicates that Michigan voters believe that the country should move in a different direction on energy policy that has at its core an investment in clean, alternative energy.”

The poll of likely voters found that:

  • 58 percent of Michiganders believe the energy plan will help recharge the economy and help Michigan become a leader in clean, alternative energy create jobs and bring business to the state
  • 51 percent of voters are “more likely” to support a candidate who votes for the clean energy legislation, while just 31 percent are “less likely” to support that candidate.

“Clean energy legislation isn’t just a matter of jobs – it’s also about protecting public health,” said Dr. Dean Sienko, medical director of the Ingham County Health Department. “Scientists in Michigan and across the globe have linked climate changes and extreme weather to a host of health problems – lung and respiratory diseases, cancer, asthma, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Our health and quality of life are at stake today and for generations to come.”

Dianne Holman, principal of Working Bugs LLC, a clean energy company based in East Lansing, said: “Businesses support clean energy legislation because it will create Michigan jobs, benefit businesses and jumpstart our economy. Clean energy legislation will make Michigan a 21st century clean energy leader, in advanced auto batteries, wind and solar. The status quo policies of the past will leave Michigan behind and lose jobs to China, India and Europe, which are investing in clean energy.”

Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said: “Michigan agriculture recognizes that clean and renewable energy is critical to our future, in terms of diversifying our businesses, while providing new opportunities for growth and protecting our Great Lakes, land and air for future agriculture businesses. Michigan agriculture is the second-largest industry in Michigan, generating more than $70 billion a year and creating a million jobs. Clean and renewable energy is the future – and Michigan agriculture wants to be a part of that future.” 

The statewide survey of 600 likely voters was conducted Aug. 24-27. The poll’s margin of error is plus/minus 4 percentage points.

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"A Global Green New Deal"

Posted by HSR0601 HAN, OTHER - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 11:33 p.m.



1. The Need For Change In Energy Platform :

A. About two thirds of deficit in the U.S. accrue from oil import.

B. Over $1 trillion and 4,346 dead as the Iraq war is winding down. By converting this excessive military budget into a constructive foundation of 21st energy and health care, world can live in harmony for good.

C. Tremendous trade deficit with China. The most expensive premiums of health care driving buyers into Wal-Mart .

D. Provided the average temperature is getting higher, accordingly all forms of germs, viruses, and influenza etc are more likely to multiply.

Some skeptics say the warning against hazards of climate change is overstated, but judging from more frequent and widespread outbreaks of e. coli, salmonella, and bird, swine flu cases endangering human lives and economic recovery seriously, some prompt measures need to be taken, I guess.



2. The Cost Of Inaction :

As with "Inaction" cost, $9trillion over the next decade in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, supposedly the same is of inaction on the 21st energy bill to determine war & peace, catastrophe & prosperity.

In this economy, fuel price is hovering around $65 to $75 a barrel, which underscores the actual value might be much the same as $145 per barrel of the peak price. Last year, the petrol price jumped from about $60 to $145 per barrel in quite a short period.

I think energy market also needs competition between sustainable and conventional one to bend the cost curve, otherwise, the global economy stays flat for some time and is plummeting into another great depression as the international stimulus package can't last long.


3. The Root Of Recession :

My sense is that this great recession is ascribed to excessively higher price of petrol in recent years. This price spelled about higher consumer prices and the continued hike in mortgage rates as a way to slow inflation, which wound up with crash in financial and construction markets. In an attempt to circumvent the censure of two petrol wars, the mainstream economists put focus on the both markets, and it postponed the prompt action on the long and long overdue contemporary energy needs.

Looking to worthless, painful and wasteful oil wars, to waste time bickering over meaningless things and drag feet on a defining energy bill are sure to shake the embryonic effect of stimulus package that is an interim measure for build-out of a new foundation.

As the overall oil reserve in Middle East, let alone the rest of oil-producing areas, is on the decline more than known, the region blessed with affluent sun rays also needs to lay a new groundwork, particularly in this context UAE is beginning to concentrate on future energy and Iranian EV is rolling out recently, the countries in the region will never stand still on the occupation, that means no matter what the result is, the repetitious mistake at the cost of invaluable lives and gigantic spending will end up with an irreversible tragedy later on.


4. Hope For Better Change & Job Boost :

As a major driver, IT industry stalled and stranded in a game industry for the lack of 21st energy policy over the stretch of two wars needs to expand into the all but indefinite energy, medical, and academic industry where the investors are eagerly waiting for policy-makers to act now, which I guess is why the far-reaching and long overdue health care and 21st energy bill have come into focus.

Thankfully and interestingly enough, 100s of Companies (with $13 Trillion) Are Demanding Strong Climate Deal in Copenhagen just like environmental activists, a coalition of more than 500 Global Businesses is also demanding ambitious new climate deal, and the report by Blair and the Climate Group, a London-based nonprofit organization, found a climate-change accord among all countries would spur economic growth and create as many as 10 million jobs by 2020.

Beyond the report, according to a new report published by the Global Climate Network of think tanks, "A Global Green New Deal" could create tens of millions of new jobs by agreeing to invest in low carbon technologies.

This research shows that while jobs will be lost in conventional, carbon-intensive sectors, more jobs will be created than lost provided that policies to promote sustainable industry are ambitious enough and it is one of the most effective means of handling rising unemployment.
It concludes that measures to creating markets for low carbon technologies will serve the dual purpose of creating extra jobs in renewable energy, information technology and service sectors, as well as helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Funding For Hopeful Change :

A. Converting the excessive and destructive military budget into constructive financing for the 21st energy.

B. Phasing out subsidies for carbon-intensive industries, and taxing carbon emissions.

C. For the most part, the poor regions ranging from Africa to South Asia severely affected by climate change are abundant in sun rays, and the compensation by way of placement of large solar plants as well as the other measures could generate enormous effects.

D. The Congressional Budget Office released an analysis of the effects of House bill, concluding that in 2020 the bill would cost the average family only about $175 a year. This is 48 cents per day –- a little more than the cost of a postage stamp.

The budget office also predicts that real G.D.P. will be about two-and-a-half times larger in 2050 than it is today, so that G.D.P. per person will rise by about 80 percent. The cost of climate protection would barely make a dent in that growth

6. Promising And Excess Tech In The Work :

In brief, only technology and innovation can meet the challenge, and the world of science has potential enough to get past this turbulence and for all over the globe to go along in harmony. Recently, GM and Reva that achieved a fantastic innovation of "wireless electricity"/ "instant remote recharge" have joined hands to develop Electric Vehicles.

In the near term, improving energy efficiency needs some up-front investments, though, in the long term, it promises much better future, and the current tech is sure to do better enough.

Thank You !



























THIS IS IN WRONG SPOT

Posted by j L, CHEBOYGAN - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 7:24 p.m.

This article should be listed under "advertisements" not "news". 600 people polled? Out of how many in the state? And how many in Northest Michigan, where they're fighting to build a much needed power plant? Sounds like propaganda to me.

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