Study Finds Michigan’s Climate Plan Would Boost Economy

On January 4, the Center for Climate Strategies released a study on the economic impacts from a set of recommendations developed by the Michigan Climate Action Council, reporting that implementing the plan could create $25 billion for the state’s economy by 2025. The council was formed in 2007 by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as part of an effort to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions . Implementing the plan could also create 129,000 jobs and significantly reduce home energy costs, the report said.

It noted that approximately 90 percent of Michigan residents’ energy purchases leave the state, so investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in the state reduces the money that would otherwise leave the state. “This study validates our commitment to energy efficiency and renewable sources of fuel,” said Steven Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Michigan is one of several states that have shared their climate action strategies with federal policymakers in a series of briefings on Capitol Hill hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Center for Climate Strategies. In these briefings, state officials from across the nation demonstrated that investments in clean energy often bring multiple benefits such as stimulating job creation and local tax revenue, saving consumers money, strengthening the security of their energy supply, and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

Please click here to receive advance notice of future EESI briefings.