| Stall, stall, stall. The way legislators in Michigan are acting these days, you’d think they were a 15 year old learning to drive a stick shift. This week, esteemed members of Michigan’s Senate chose to hold off yet again on moving forward with a feasible energy plan that could put the mitten on the path to a renewable energy future. You know, the kind of future that can create thousands of jobs for unemployed Michiganders, entice cutting-edge industries to put down their stakes here, and cut down and deadly CO2 emissions that are threatening kids with increased asthma rates and older folks with cardiovascular diseases. Yeah, that silly little thing called clean energy. Really, continuing to stonewall on what could be one of the most vital issues of our generation is not even grossly negligent or unacceptable – at this point, it’s just kinda sad. For 18 long months, legislation about Michigan’s energy future has been stalled and lingered on like a bad engine on a dirt road. There are few states who have suffered more under failed policies of the Bush administration than Michigan has, and yet, when presented with the kind of life-altering opportunity that could potentially turn things around for everyone state legislators do what they do best: nothing. Already, across the nation, other states, including Pennsylvania and even oil-swilling Texas have been making gigantic-football field length leaps forward when it comes to renewable energy. States like Kansas and Georgia have even passed legislation to protect against harmful CO2 emissions from coal plants, and effectively pushed themselves towards a clean energy future. Sometimes, giving in to peer pressure is not only a good thing, but highly recommended. Instead of continuing to steer clear of what could pull us out of this rut, how about setting a renewable portfolio standard of 25% by 2025? C’mon, Michigan Senate – would that really be so hard? We've created a tool that allows you to take minute or less to tell your state law makers how you feel. Please speak out and tell Lansing to move Michigan towards a bright energy future! |
