July 2012 An Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs

J u l y 2 0 1 2

An Open Letter on

Clean Energy and Green Jobs from Michigan Scientists,

Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health

Professionals

Wind Turbine at Braun Farms in Saline, Michigan

InSTITuTIonal aFFIlIaTIonS lISTed For IdenTIFIcaTIon purpoSeS only

An Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs from Michigan Scientists, Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health Professionals

It’s difficult to power a 21st-century knowledge- and innovation-driven economy with 19th-century technology that is dependent on million-year-old fuel. Renewable energy is a driver of growth for Michigan.C H A R L E S M c K E O W Nenergy Specialist, office of the Hannah professor in land policy, department of agricultural Food and resource economics, Michigan State university

Generating 25 percent of our electricity from renewable energy will make Michigan competitive with other Midwest states in the growing clean energy industry. In South Dakota and Iowa, renewables already make up 21 percent of the electricity mix.B A R R Y S O L O M O NFounder and Former president, u.S. Society for ecological economics; professor of Geography and environmental policy; director, Graduate program in environmental policy, Michigan Technological university

Michigan’s next generation of highly skilled workers are busy training for careers in the clean tech sector at colleges and universities across the Great Lakes State. Today’s students will be well prepared for the job of repowering Michigan’s economy with clean, renewable energy.S I M O N N GGershenson distinguished Faculty Fellow; director, alternative energy Technological center, college of engineering, Wayne State university

Detroit has the manufacturing capacity and expertise to become a hub for the clean energy industry. Ramping up renewable energy can help turbo charge the urban revival now underway here. As a young person studying energy and engineering, it’s an exciting time to call this city home.M I C H E L L E M . R O G E R SGraduate research assistant, department of civil & environmental engineering, Wayne State university

Renewable energy is not only healthier and cheaper than new coal, it also enables us to improve our economy by keeping our money in Michigan. It’s a win-win-win!B A R T B A R T E L Scampus Sustainability Manager, Sustainable community development Initiative, Grand Valley State university, allendale

Clean energy protects the environment, contributes to economic development and supports healthy communities. All in all, diversifying Michigan’s energy portfolio to include more renewable energy just makes sound business sense in today’s economy.D E B O R A H S T E K E T E Eassociate professor of Sustainable Business, Sustainable Business program, aquinas college

Fishing is a vital lure for Michigan’s growing tourism industry, but mercury pollution limits safe consumption of the fish caught here. Using more renewable energy is one way to reduce toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants, the #1 source of mercury emissions in the Great Lakes region.N I C H O L A S S C H R O E C Kdirector, Transnational environmental law clinic, Wayne State university law School

An Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs from Michigan

Scientists, Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health Professionals

The signers of this statement are Michigan scientists, engineers, economists, and technical and health professionals who have expertise relevant to our need to transition to a clean energy economy. All signers are engineers or have earned, or are working toward, an advanced degree.

By increasing the amount of Michigan-based renewable energy used to power our state, we will create new Michigan jobs that cannot be outsourced, spark new investments in Michigan, and boost our economy by helping us grow a clean energy industry. Generating more of our electricity from clean renewable sources will also reduce air pollution, improve public health across the state, protect the Great Lakes and other water resources, and help rein in carbon emissions. Unfortunately, renewable energy currently accounts for less than 4 percent of the electricity used in Michigan,1 while more than 60 percent of our electricity is produced by burning coal.2 We can and must do better! That is why, as experts from around the state of Michigan, we support requiring 25 percent of the state’s electricity to come from clean renewable sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower by 2025.

Michigan has a wealth of untapped renewable energy resources that can be deployed to achieve a goal of 25 percent renewables by 2025.3 Boosting investment in renewable energy will keep Michigan competitive in the rapidly growing clean energy market, build on the state’s manufacturing know-how, and strengthen local clean energy industries.

We can increase our use of Michigan-made, renewable energy with minimal costs to consumers. Renewable energy prices continue to decline with wind power, for example, now able to generate electricity at a lower price than from new coal-burning power plants.4 Our existing renewable electricity standard (RES) has resulted in minimal cost to residential consumers, and in many cases there is no additional cost.5 Furthermore, increasing our use of renewable energy will lead to a more diversified electricity supply that will protect Michigan consumers from the volatility of fossil fuel prices.

Michigan’s push to develop its renewable energy resources is creating jobs and attracting investment. At least $100 million has been invested so far to meet the state’s current RES and incentives to employ Michigan workers and use products made in Michigan are creating new opportunities for Michigan-based companies.6 There are now almost 250 companies working in Michigan’s wind and solar industries, employing more than 10,000 people across our state.7 Clean energy technologies now represent Michigan’s fastest-growing sector, with another $10 billion in announced clean energy development investments anticipated in the near future.8 Keeping Michigan’s energy dollars in our state will create even more economic benefits. By boosting our use of renewable energy, we can keep in state more of the approximately $1.4 billion we spend every year to import coal to fuel coal-fired power plants that are polluting our environment and hurting our health.9

Reducing our dependence on coal and ramping up our use of clean, renewable energy will reduce the dangerous pollutants that foul Michigan’s air and water and contribute to asthma, heart attacks, and lung disease while protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s precious natural resources.

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An Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs from Michigan Scientists, Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health Professionals J u l y 2 0 1 2

1 Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC). 2012. Report on the implementation of the P.A. 295 RE standard and the cost-effectiveness of the energy standard. Lansing, MI. Online at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/

implementation_PA295_renewable_energy2-15-2012_376924_7.pdf.

2 Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC). 2011. Michigan Energy Overview. Lansing, MI. Online at http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/energyoverview.

3 For example, see: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). 2010. Estimates of windy land area and wind energy potential, by state, for areas >= 30% capacity factor at 80m. Golden, CO. Online at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp; and Chaudhari, M., L. Frantzis, and T.E. Hoff. 2004. PV Grid Connected Market Potential under a Cost Breakthrough Scenario. Navigant Consulting. Online at http://www.ef.org/documents/EF-Final-Final2.pdf.

4 Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC). 2012. Report on the implementation of the P.A. 295 RE standard and the cost-effectiveness of the energy standard. Lansing, MI. Online at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/ implementation_PA295_renewable_energy2-15-2012_376924_7.pdf.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

7 Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC). 2011. The Solar and Wind Supply Chain in Michigan. Chicago, IL. Online at: http://elpc.org/2011/04/07/the-solar-and-wind-supply-chain-in-michigan.

8 Ibid.

9 Deyette, J., and B. Freese. 2010. Burning coal, burning cash: Ranking the states that import the most coal. Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists. (Using data reported by plant operators to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for 2008.) Online at http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy_old/technology_and_impacts/impacts/burning-coal-burning-cash.html.

T. Arnold Boezaart, M.S.W.Director, Michigan Alternative and Renewable

Energy CenterGrand Valley State University

Andy Hoffman, Ph.D.ProfessorStephen M. Ross School of BusinessSchool of Natural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michigan

Charles McKeown, M.S.Energy SpecialistOffice of the Hannah Professor in Land Policy Department of Agricultural Food and Resource

EconomicsMichigan State University

Knute Nadelhoffer, Ph.D.Director, Biological StationProfessor, Department of Ecology and

Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan

Simon Ng, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Research and Graduate StudiesDirector, Alternative Energy Technological CenterProfessor, Chemical Engineering Wayne State University

John Patten, Ph.D. Director, Manufacturing Research CenterProfessor and Chair, Department of Manufacturing

Engineering Western Michigan University

Barry Solomon, Ph.D.Founder and Former President, U.S. Society for

Ecological EconomicsDirector, Graduate Program in Environmental Policy Professor, Geography and Environmental PolicyMichigan Technological University

The 141 Michigan Scientists, Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health Professionals Who Endorse the

Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs


Sai Karthik Addu, M.S. candidateDepartment of Chemical Engineering

and Materials ScienceWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Donald Adkison, Ph.D. candidateInstructor Physical ScienceMontcalm Community CollegeLansing, MI

Mark Axelrod, Ph.D., J.D. East Lansing, MI

Catherine Badgley, Ph.D.Chelsea, MI

Robert Bailey, M.S., M.A. Control Systems Engineer, RetiredScientific Research LaboratoryFord Motor CompanyPlymouth, MI

Bradley Baltensperger, Ph.D.Professor Department of Geology Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Joshua Barclay, M.S.AP Physics InstructorWest Bloomfield School DistrictWest Bloomfield, MI

David Barnes, Ph.D.Professor Department of Geosciences Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Bart Bartels, M.A. candidateCampus Sustainability ManagerSustainable Community Development

InitiativeGrand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI

Mark Baskaran, Ph.D.Professor Department of GeologyWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Nil Basu, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Environmental

Health ScienceUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Amar Basu, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorCollege of EngineeringWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Stuart Batterman, Ph.D.ProfessorSchool of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Steve Bertman, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Chemistry Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Harvey D. Blankespoor, Ph.D. Professor Department of BiologyHope CollegeHolland, MI

Brian Bodenbender, Ph.D. Associate Professor and ChairDepartment of Geological and

Environmental SciencesHope CollegeHolland, MI

T. Arnold Boezaart, MSWDirector Michigan Alternative and Renewable

Energy CenterGrand Valley State University

Allendale, MI

Leonard Bohmann, Ph.D.Associate DeanCollege of EngineeringMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Daniel Bral, M.S. Croswell, MI

Michael Brodeur-Campbell, Ph.D. candidate

Department of Chemical EngineeringMichigan Technological UniversityLake Linden, MI

Mike Carpenter, Ph.D.Staff Research ScientistElectrochemical Energy LaboratoryGeneral Motors Research and

Development CenterTroy, Michigan

Greg CollinsSenior Manufacturing EngineerCoopersville, MI

Katie Conlon, Ph.D. candidateAnn Arbor, MI

Kevin Crupi, M.S.Negaunee, MI

Charles Cubbage, Ph.D.Paw Paw, MI

Bruce Dale, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Chemical Engineering

and Materials ScienceMichigan State UniversityGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterLansing, MI

Don Danyko Chemical Engineer, RetiredAnn Arbor, MI



Roger De Roo, Ph.D.Lecturer III and Assistant Research

ScientistDepartment of Atmospheric, Oceanic,

and Space ScienceUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Raymond De Young, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorSchool of Natural Resources and

EnvironmentUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Da Deng, Ph.D.Detroit, MI

Gary Dolinshek Electrical EngineerRochester Hills, MI

Catherine Doud, M.S., R.N.Jackson, MI

Carly Eakin, M.S. candidateDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityLansing, MI

Paul Edwards, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of HistoryUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Gavin Edwards, Ph.D.Ypsilanti, MI

Manfred Engelmann, Ph.D.East Lansing, MI

John Erickson, M.S.Southgate, MI

Serge Farinas, Ph.D. candidateDepartment of Ecology and

Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Rich Fiorella, Ph.D. candidateDepartment of Earth and

Environmental SciencesUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Marla Fisher, Ph.D.Kalamazoo, MI

Daniel C. Fisher, Ph.D. ProfessorDepartment of Earth and


Margaret Gale, Ph.D. DeanSchool of Forest Resources and

Environmental ScienceMichigan Technical University Calumet, MI

Gerald Gardner, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusDepartment of Environmental StudiesUniversity of Michigan-DearbornAnn Arbor, MI

Daryle Gardner-Bonneau, Ph.D.Adjunct Associate ProfessorWestern Michigan UniversityBonneau and AssociatesPortage, MI

E. Binney Girdler, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Environmental StudiesKalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo, MI

Harold Glasser, Ph.D.ProfessorEnvironmental Studies ProgramOffice of SustainabilityWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Hugh Gorman, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorSustainable Futures InstituteMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Sarah Green, Ph.D.Professor and ChairDepartment of ChemistryMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Robert Handler, Ph.D. Postdoctoral ResearcherMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Craig Harris, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of SociologyMichigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI

Joseph Helgert, Ph.D., M.B.A. Associate ProfessorSustainable Community Development

InitiativeGrand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI

Joseph Hess, M.D.East Lansing, MI

Andy Hoffman, Ph.D.ProfessorStephen M. Ross School of BusinessSchool of Natural Resources and

EnvironmentUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Thomas Hollen, M.S.Professor EmeritusMechanical Engineering TechnologyFerris State UniversityGrand Rapids, MI

Robert Hollister, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorGrand Valley State UniversityGrand Rapids, MI

Ethan Hyland, Ph.D. candidateDepartment of Earth and


Charles Ide, Ph.D.Gwen Frostic ProfessorDepartment of Biological SciencesWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Carole Jean, M.S.Northville, MI



Wendy Jones, M.S.School of Forest Resources and

Environmental ScienceMichigan Technical UniversityLake Linden, MI

Jerzy Kanicki, Ph.D.ProfessorElectrical Engineering and

Computer ScienceUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

John Kantorowski, M.A.Associate ProfessorCollege of Engineering TechnologyFerris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI

David Karowe, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Biological SciencesWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Darshan Karwat, Ph.D. candidateDepartment of Aerospace EngineeringGraham Environmental Sustainability

InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Martin Kaufman, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Earth and Resource

ScienceUniversity of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI

Laura Kaufman, M.S.Nurse PractitionerUniversity of MichiganChelsea, MI

Karen Kennedy, M.S.Ann Arbor, MI

Saida Khan, Ph.D.Battery Applications EngineerContinental Structural PlasticsCanton, MI

Kathy Kibbie, M.S.Instructor/LecturerSchool of EducationUniversity of MichiganPinckney, MI

Kyoung-Yun Kim, Ph.D. Associate ProfessorDepartment of Industrial and

Systems EngineeringWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Leah Knapp, D.V.M.ProfessorDepartment of Natural and

Physical SciencesOlivet CollegeMarshall, MI

Carla Koretsky, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of GeosciencesWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Lawrence Lemke, Ph.D., M.B.A.Ann Arbor, MI

Scot Libants, Ph.D. candidateLansing, MI

Alexandra Locher, Ph.D.Allendale, MI

Paul Long, M.S., M.Arch.Department of Architecture and Facility

ManagementFerris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI

John Lorand, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusDepartment of ChemistryCentral Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI

Abigail Lynch, Ph.D. candidateUniversity Distinguished FellowDepartment of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityLansing, MI

Thomas Lyon, Ph.D.ProfessorStephen M. Ross School of BusinessUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Patricia Marinich, M.S. candidateEngineering ConsultantBrockway Technical ServicesBrockway, MI

Claudio Mazzoleni, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Physics Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Charles McKeown, M.S.Energy SpecialistOffice of the Hannah Professor

in Land Policy Department of Agricultural Food

and Resource EconomicsMichigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI

Philip Micklin, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus Department of GeographyWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Adrienne Minerick, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Rob Minerick, M.S.PresidentVortimac Software LLCHoughton, MI Mark Moldwin, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Atmospheric,

Oceanic, and Space ScienceUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Heather Moody, M.S.Adrian, MI



Charles Morris, Ph.D. candidateReverend, Archdiocese of DetroitAdjunct Professor, Madonna UniversityFounder, Michigan Interfaith

Power & LightDetroit, MI

Katta Murty, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusDepartment of Industrial and

Operations EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Knute Nadelhoffer, Ph.D.Director, Biological StationProfessor, Department of Ecology

and Evolutionary Biology University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Simon Ng, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Research and

Graduate StudiesDirector, Alternative Energy

Technological CenterProfessor, Chemical Engineering Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Erik Nordman, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of BiologyGrand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI

Matthew Olson Electrical EngineerAugusta, MI

Pamela Ortner, M.S., R.N.Michigan Environmental Health

AdvocateHealth Care Without HarmMadison Heights, MI

Edward Parson, Ph.D. Joseph L. Sax Collegiate Professor

of LawProfessor of Natural Resources

and EnvironmentUniversity of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI

John Patten, Ph.D. Director, Manufacturing Research

CenterProfessor and Chair, Department

of Manufacturing Engineering Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI

Carl Paulina Senior Project EngineerNational Vehicle and Fuel Emissions

Laboratory United States Environmental

Protection AgencyAnn Arbor, MI

Joshua Pearce, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Materials Science

and EngineeringMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

William J. Pielemeier, Ph.D.Electrical EngineerYpsilanti, MI

David Pitts, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Pharmaceutical SciencesUrban Watershed Environmental

Resource Group Wayne State UniversityPleasant Ridge, MI

Henry Pollock, Ph.D.Professor Emeritus Department of Earth and


Kathy Pollock, M.S., M.A.ProfessorDepartment of Life ScienceMuskegon Community CollegeMuskegon, MI

Hans Posselt, Ph.D.Environmental ScientistDexter, MI

Ralph Powell, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusAnn Arbor, MI

Deepak Ravindra, Ph.D.Senior Research AssociateManufacturing Research CenterWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Robert Richardson, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Community, Agriculture,

Recreation, and Resource StudiesMichigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI

Michelle Rogers, M.S. candidateGraduate Student AssistantDepartment of Civil and

Environmental EngineeringWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Debra Rowe, Ph.D., M.B.A.ProfessorDepartment of Behavioral SciencesOakland Community College

William Saenz Senior Plant EngineerBrownstown, MI

T. Michael Sanders, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusDepartment of PhysicsUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Donald Scavia, Ph.D.ProfessorSchool of Natural Resources

and EnvironmentUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Nicholas Schroeck, J.D.DirectorTransnational Environmental

Law ClinicWayne State University Detroit, MI

Philip Shepard, Ph.D.Professor EmeritusMichigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI



Laura Sherman, Ph.D. candidateDepartment of Earth and


David Shonnard, Ph.D.Robbins ProfessorDepartment of Chemical EngineeringMichigan Technological UniversityChassell, MI

Mike Shriberg, Ph.D.Education Director/LecturerGraham Sustainability InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI

Jacob Silver, Ph.D.Negaunee, MI

Trilochan Singh, Ph.D.ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringWayne State University West Bloomfield, MI

Eric Snyder, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of BiologyGrand Valley State UniversitySpring Lake, MI

Barry Solomon, Ph.D.Founder and Former President,

U.S. Society for Ecological EconomicsDirector, Graduate Program in

Environmental Policy Professor, Geography and

Environmental PolicyMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Deborah Steketee, Ph.D.Associate Professor of Sustainable

Business Sustainable Business Program Aquinas CollegeAlto, MI

Kathleen Stephenson, R.N. Allegan, MI

J. Aubrey Sykes, Ph.D. East Grand Rapids, MI

Sara Syswerda, Ph.D.Middleville, MI

Alan Syverud, Ph.D.Midland, MI

Arthur Toy, M.S., NABCEP Certified Small Wind Level 3

PrincipalFour Elements Energy, Inc. Lawrence, MI

David Uhlmann, J.D.DirectorEnvironmental Law and Policy ProgramUniversity of Michigan Law SchoolAnn Arbor, MI

Prasad Venugopal, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Chemistry and PhysicsUniversity of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI

Jane Vogel, M.B.A.Board President, Michigan Interfaith

Power & LightPrincipal, Partners for New Energy LLCAnn Arbor, MI

Maarten Vonhof, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of Biological SciencesWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Ryan Waddington, M.S., M.B.A.Managing DirectorHuron River VenturesDexter, MI

Kapila Wadumesthrige, Ph.D.Lab ManagerA123 SystemsSouthfield, MI

Christa Walck, Ph.D.Associate Provost and ProfessorSchool of Business and EconomicsMichigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI

Caisheng Wang, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorCollege of EngineeringWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Sally Welch, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorDepartment of ChemistryMarygrove CollegeDetroit, MI

Adam Wellstead, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Social SciencesMichigan Technological UniversityHancock, MI

Dorothy Wolf, M.S.Alto, MI

Daniel Yeboah, M.S. Michigan Technical University Houghton, MI

Donald Zak, Ph.D.Burton V. Barnes Collegiate

Professor of Ecology Department of Ecology and

Evolutionary BiologySchool of Natural Resources and

EnvironmentAnn Arbor, MI

Dennis Zawol, M.S.InstructorDepartment of Science and MathMott Community CollegeFlint, MI

Hongwei Zhang, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Computer ScienceWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI

Junhui Zhao, M.S.Graduate Research AssistantDepartment of Electrical and

Computer EngineeringWayne State UniversityDetroit, MI


The endorsers of the Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs from Michigan Scientists, Engineers, Economists, and Technical and Health Professionals are based at a wide variety of institu-tions, including universities and colleges, government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The endorsers have included their institutional affiliation for identification purposes only, and the listing below should not be construed to imply any institutional endorsement.

Michigan Colleges and Universities

Central Michigan UniversityFerris State UniversityGrand Valley State UniversityHope CollegeKalamazoo CollegeMadonna UniversityMarygrove CollegeMichigan State UniversityMichigan Technical UniversityMontcalm Community CollegeMott Community CollegeMuskegon Community CollegeOakland Community CollegeOlivet CollegeUniversity of Detroit MercyUniversity of MichiganUniversity of Michigan-DearbornUniversity of Michigan-FlintWayne State UniversityWestern Michigan University

Michigan Businesses, Government Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations

A123 SystemsArchdiocese of DetroitBonneau and AssociatesContinental Structural PlasticsFour Elements Energy, Inc. General Motors Research and

Development CenterGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterHealthcare Without HarmHuron River VenturesMichigan Interfaith Power & LightPartners for New Energy LLCU.S. EPA – National Vehicle and

Fuel Emissions LaboratoryVortimac Software LLC

Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions

UCS Midwest Office one n. laSalle St., Suite 1904chicago, Il 60602-4064phone: (312) 578-1750Fax: (312) 578-1751

Compiled by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Law & Policy Center on behalf of the signers of this letter.

To view and download, visit ww.ucsusa.org/ mi-expert-letter.

P h o T o S

Front cover (clockwise from top left):© iStockphoto.com/Redrockonline Productions© David Ausberger© New York Times/James Estrin© iStockphoto.com/Denis Tangney Jr© iStockphoto.com/Stefano Lunardi

Inside front cover: © Flickr/cseeman

Inside back cover (top to bottom):© Flickr/cncphotos© Flickr/Trent Strohm© Flickr/Rebecca Peplinski© Steve hall/hedrich Blessing

Back cover (left to right):© Clipper Wind Inc.© Photodisc/C. Sherburne

© Union of Concerned Scientists July 2012

When it comes to energy, the status quo is not an option. In a rapidly changing global environment, new technologies are forever changing the way we produce and use energy. Making a commitment to get a significant part of our electricity from renewable energy is a forward looking choice.

T. A R N O L D B O E Z A A R Tdirector, Michigan alternative and renewable energy center, Grand Valley State university, Muskegon

Innovative Michigan businesses realize clean energy is good for their bottom line. By refueling our economy with Michigan’s renewable energy, we can keep hard earned dollars in our state that would otherwise leave to pay for imported coal and oil.

J O H N P AT T E Ndirector, Manufacturing research center; professor and chair, department of Manufacturing engineering, Western Michigan university

Renewable energy can provide a breath of fresh air to children and adults suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses exacerbated by air pollution from coal-fired power plants.”

E R I K N O R D M A Nlead Investigator, West Michigan Wind assessment; professor of natural resource Management, Biology department, Grand Valley State university, allendale

ELPC Headquarters35 e. Wacker drive, Suite 1600chicago, Il 60601 phone: (312) 673-6500

Documents

July 2012 An Open Letter on Clean Energy and Green Jobs