Michigan’s Energy Plan Wins Time

By Alejandro Bodipo-Memba, Detroit Free Press

Jun. 10–The deadline for a final report on a comprehensive energy plan for Michigan has been extended to the end of the month.

In May, members of state Sen. Bruce Patterson’s Technology and Energy Committee working group were asked to come up with a draft report by Saturday on benchmarks, goals and objectives to establish a road map for Michigan energy independence.

Though technical experts in alternative energy, the petroleum industry and the utility industry have addressed some of Michigan’s energy woes, Patterson, R-Canton, elected to extend the deadline for a final report.

The Phase II Report will lay out a strategy to address energy production and storage problems within Michigan’s regulated and unregulated markets for several years.

“All the committees are making some progress, and I see this as a very important step in getting our state energy plan moving in the right direction,” said Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and a member of the alternative generation and technologies subcommittee. “A comprehensive state energy plan is a large issue, but I’m really hopeful we will come up with plans that can be implemented by and onboard with the Legislature.”

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Copyright (c) 2006, Detroit Free Press

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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