(Senator Jim Barcia served in the Michigan House from 1977 - '82, and the Michigan Senate from 1983 until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 5th congressional district in 1992, where he served until 2002. When the 2000 census eliminated a congressional seat, Barcia was encouraged by his constituents to return to the Michigan Senate, where today he serves the 31st district as the Associate President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as the Democratic Whip. Welcome Senator Barcia! - promoted by wizardkitten)
 There's a big argument going on among scientists and environmental experts about how long the world's supply of oil and natural gas is going to last. The one thing they agree on is that it won't last forever. While we're experiencing shortages and price fluctuations, our children and grandchildren could see a day when the oil supply runs out entirely, especially from politically volatile areas like the Middle East. But we can prepare for and even capitalize on that dire prediction. Michigan's future lies in renewable energy and renewable fuels, and it's a theme that Gov. Granholm emphasized in her radio address last week, prior to her departure to Sweden and Germany to recruit high tech businesses to Michigan.
I too believe Michigan's future is in renewable energy and renewable fuels. That is why I'm sponsoring SB 385 to require that 20% of electricity used here in Michigan come from renewable resources, like wind, biomass from agriculture, hydro, or solar power, by the year 2020. More than 20 states and the District of Columbia have implemented Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), ranging from a low of 2.2% by 2011 in Wisconsin up to 25% by 2025 in Minnesota. So, while this legislation I'm offering is ambitious for Michigan, it's firmly in the mainstream of policy decisions being made across the country.
|
