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Fox Business News reported the story here.

Read more in the Chicago Tribune

ELPC and the Pew Charitable Trusts welcomed Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan Governor and Senior Advisor to Pew’s Clean Energy Program, for a conversation in our office on Wed., June 29. Gov. Granholm discussed the need for national clean energy policies that create jobs, stimulate innovation, spur investment and enhance America’s competitiveness in the global clean energy race. Read more about ELPC’s efforts to promote wind power, solar power, and other renewable energy solutions.

Read the editorial published in Crain’s Chicago Business.

“For more than 40 years, the EPA has protected public health and safety by holding polluters accountable – and it should be allowed to continue doing its job,” said Knute Nadelhoffer, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. “Scientists across Michigan stand united with scientists at the EPA and across the nation. Science, not politics, must drive our fight against dangerous pollution.” 

Nadelhoffer testified before Congress on Tuesday about the importance of allowing the EPA to set greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act.

The scientists’ letter states: “We strongly urge you to reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put our health, agriculture, environment and economy at risk.”

The scientists are continuing to circulate the letter to more researchers and scientists across the state, with the goal of building momentum and raising their voices to Congress.

“Michigan scientists urge Congress to defend Michigan citizens, not polluters,” said David Karowe, professor of biological sciences at Western Michigan University. “By taking away or weakening the EPA’s authority to fight greenhouse gas pollution, Congress is endangering the public health by increasing the likelihood of deadly heat waves, floods, and droughts.”

“In the long run, climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions is going to be extremely costly to Michigan’s economy, so we need to consider the long-term risk against the short-term costs,” said Stephen Hamilton, professor of ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. “And each year that we delay action commits us to more severe climate change well into the future, because greenhouse gas effects will persist for a very long time.”

“Greenhouse gas pollution is a threat to our families’ health and safety, and it endangers important industries from agriculture to tourism,” said Steve Bertman, WMU chemistry professor and an expert on atmospheric chemistry. “The science is clear: Greenhouse gas pollution harms our air, land and water.  Ultimately, it will be the growing industries of alternative energy that will bring innovation and jobs back to Michigan. We should be doing everything we can to support these jobs of the future rather than upholding outdated technologies of the past.”

“I am proud to stand with my fellow scientists in sending this message to Congress: Let science, not politics, determine how we set standards on greenhouse gas emissions,” said Sarah Green, chair of the chemistry department at Michigan Technological University.  “As Congress begins the debate on the Clean Air Act, it is vital that they hear from scientists – and more than 155 of us in Michigan are ready to make our voices heard.”

“The EPA does important life-saving work to protect public health,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center and an adjunct environmental law professor at the University of Michigan. “These Michigan scientists fully support the EPA’s setting sensible clean air standards to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollution that harm our health. Congress should work to reduce pollution, not open the floodgates to more toxic pollution that puts Michigan’s future and our health at risk.”

Among the facts the Michigan scientists highlighted in their letter:

• The Clean Air Act requires that EPA work to reduce smog and soot pollution, air toxics, and global warming pollution that together cost the people of Michigan and America billions of dollars in health care and other costs.
• Clean air rules can create more than 62,300 construction, installation and professional jobs in Michigan in the next five years.
• Michigan’s Big Three have already publicly supported EPA rules to reduce emissions in new vehicles.
• Clean air regulations save consumers millions of dollars in gas costs, reduce oil consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 960 million metric tons.

Signatories of the letter included scientists and researchers from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Hope College, Kalamazoo College and Calvin College, as well as scientists with other institutions doing research in Michigan.

A recent statewide poll showed Michigan voters overwhelmingly support the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources. According to the poll of 500 Michigan voters by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 68 percent of voters support the EPA’s authority, compared with only 27 percent.

Last week, the EPA released a report showing that the Clean Air Act will have saved $2 trillion by 2020 and prevented at least 230,000 deaths annually. By 2020, complying with the amendments would prevent 200,000 heart attacks, 17 million lost work days and 2.4 million asthma attacks, according to the report.

Read the letter here.

Columbus – The Environmental Law & Policy Center has released a new study of Ohio’s wind and solar energy supply chain. The study finds that 106 Ohio companies are doing business with the wind power industry and 63 Ohio companies are part of the solar energy supply chain.

Ohio’s strong manufacturing base and skilled workforce, together with supportive policies and smart investments have helped make Ohio a center for clean energy manufacturing. From major companies like First Solar and Cardinal Fastener to over 100 small manufacturers, developers and service firms; clean energy means business for Ohio.

“Wind and solar power has created thousands of good jobs across Ohio,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Longstanding manufacturing companies are retooling to supply the growing clean energy market and new businesses are expanding. Smart policies can continue that growth.”

The report finds that wind industry suppliers employ over 7,500 people in Ohio and, according to the Ohio Department of Development, solar manufacturing has created over 1,500 jobs statewide.

“Ohio has worked hard to develop a climate conducive to advanced energy suppliers. Ohio-based companies are providing components and products for the energy sector worldwide,” said Scott Miller, Director of Energy and Environmental Program’s at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. “As the global need for affordable clean energy increases, this state is poised to take advantage of new technologies and the business and job growth that will come with it.”

The report profiles Ohio businesses that see clean energy as a key part of the state’s economic future. These businesses are looking forward to sound policies that will support the domestic market for clean energy, creating more jobs and economic growth for Ohio.

“The Report comes at a critical time for the future or renewables in Ohio,” said Carrie Cullen Hitt of the Solar Alliance. “Many companies are exploring investment opportunities and this demonstrates that Ohio offers a hospitable environment for growing businesses. As described in the Report, Maintaining and expanding supportive policies in the future is key.”

The report notes that strong regulatory and tax policies are key to growing any industry, and the wind industry is no exception. The proposed strong federal renewable energy standard would help grow the local economy by increasing Ohio’s export opportunities for both wind power and manufactured wind turbine components and professional services.

To download a copy of the report, visit www.elpc.org/OhioEnergy.

ELPC Staff Attorney Brad Klein received a Special Recognition Award by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council on October 11, 2o10.  The award was presented to Brad and five other individuals at the 2010 IREC Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.  The award recognizes “people and organizations that have made an extraordinary contribution to renewable energy and to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

“Brad has laid the groundwork and led the charge for dramatic improvements in interconnection procedures and net metering rules across the Midwest, always building coalitions and listening attentively to utility perspectives to find solutions.  In several states, Brad has worked closely with IREC, and he is recognized for his invaluable work on interconnection procedures in Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas.”

The Environmental Law & Policy Center commends Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), as well as Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and urges quick action to create jobs and spur our green economy.

“Americans want job creation and a cleaner, safer way to keep the lights on. The Federal Renewable Electricity Standard can make that happen,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Wind farms create hundreds of jobs, spur rural economic development and improve our environment. Solar, biofuels and other clean energy technologies can also spur economic growth. The federal Renewable Electricity Standard is a key policy driver.

“The Midwest has the workforce, businesses and investors waiting to create a clean energy revolution. It’s time for Congress to give them the green light.”