Clean Water Action appreciates the leadership of the Governor and key decision-makers within the legislature who worked together to pass a first start at renewable energy and efficiency requirements for the state. However, this brand-new legislation did not go nearly far enough and we will work to make sure that Michigan does everything it can to become a leader in clean, renewable energy.

1. Michigan must increase the percentage of the state's power that comes from renewable sources and energy efficiency.

In order to meaningfully address the problem of climate change and to maximize green job creation, Clean Water Action will work to establish a 25% renewable electricity standard by 2025 which will create better incentives for renewable energy manufacturing companies to locate in Michigan. We will also push decision-makers to expand energy efficiency to 2% per year which would keep more of our state's valuable energy from being wasted while creating even more skilled jobs that can't be outsourced.

2. Clean Water Action will fight to make sure only clean sources of electricity can be counted as renewable energy.

Dirty sources of power like trash burning can currently be used to meet the renewable energy standards. A limited amount of other polluting power, like "clean coal," can also count as renwable energy. This must be changed in order to protect ratepayers, the health of our citizens, and Michigan's precious natural resources.

3. Loop-holes must be removed to make sure utilities make real investments in renewable power.

Meeting the requirements cannot be voluntary. We will continue working to make sure that utilities do not try to get out of these standards. If we are going to grow Michigan's clean energy economy, there needs to be a guarantee that renewable energy power sources are built.

4. Expand incentives for other investments in renewables.

Net metering provisions in the energy package that permit people to get paid for the renewable energy they create are a good first start. However, there are other programs, like feed-in tariffs, that are much better at creating long-term incentives for home and business owners to install solar panels and windmills on their property. Such programs will do a lot to push the growth of Michigan's clean energy economy.

5. Regulate dangerous carbon dioxide emissions.

Another missing piece of the energy picture is that the Governor must take immediate action to regulate carbon dioxide from coal plants as a global warming pollutant.

We look forward to working with committed members like you to move Michigan down the path to becoming a real leader in renewable energy.