• Michigan’s economy is heavily reliant on energy derived from non-sustainable (finite) and polluting fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, and to a lesser extent, oil. Michigan imports 100% of the coal and uranium, 96% of the petroleum, and 70% of the natural gas used to power this State.
• Michigan produces little of these fossil fuels within the State, which makes us highly vulnerable to rising and highly volatile fossil energy costs and the uncertain and politically unstable future of non-renewable energy.
• Our state energy portfolio is not diversified and Michigan depends on other states and countries to secure our energy needs. It would be foolish to wait until these finite resources become even more scarce before developing alternative energy supply strategies. The time to act is now!
• Fuel sources to produce electricity in Michigan in 2004 were: 63% coal, 10% natural gas, 23% nuclear, and only 3% from renewable sources.
• In 2004, imported fuels cost Michigan citizens and businesses roughly $20 billion (roughly 5% of the State’s GDP) transferring economic power we need here to fossil fuel rich states and countries. Approximately $2.6 billion of this spent on fuel for the generation of electricity in Michigan.
• According to the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan has steadily growing demand for more electric power generation. The recently completed Capacity Needs Forum (CNF), conducted by the MPSC, reported that our current electrical generation system will not meet Michigan’s demand by 2009. (This includes a 15% reserve margin.)
• We believe that now is the time to begin meeting future Michigan energy demands with a growing mix of sustainable and renewable energy resources.
• A plan including a Renewable Portfolio Standard will provide energy security, energy diversity, a healthier environment and a boost to needed economic development.