Renewable Energy Standards

LANSING —A ballot initiative underway in Michigan that would raise the state’s renewable energy standard to 25 percent by 2025 has been endorsed in metro Detroit and Grand Rapids by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876 and Local 951.

“This ballot proposal is a golden opportunity to diversify Michigan’s energy profile so our state can call on a wide range of energy generation resources,” a resolution adopted by the unions states. “Our union, mindful of the positive jobs, economic, consumer protection and public health impacts, supports the 2012 ballot proposal to increase Michigan’s renewable energy standard to 25 percent by 2025.”

The Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs initiative is collecting petition signatures to put the 25 percent renewable energy standard before voters in November. The higher standard has already been adopted in more than 20 states, including New Jersey, which this week announced a 22.5 percent standard by 2021.

“We support a higher renewable energy standard that will power the grocery stores, retail shops and food processing facilities we work in every day,” said Roger Robinson, president of UFCW Local 876.

“More renewable energy is good for Michigan workers, local businesses and our future,” said Marv Russow, president of UFCW Local 951. “Investment in cleaner, renewable energy will put more people back to work.”

Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs spokesman Mark Fisk thanked the UFCW locals for their support of the ballot initiative.

“We are thankful of the support from UFCW workers and applaud them for stepping forward and endorsing this important ballot initiative,” Fisk said. “The higher renewable energy standard would stimulate thousands of Michigan jobs that can’t be outsourced, reduce harmful pollution and ensure clean energy technologies are developed and built right here in Michigan.”

More information on the ballot initiative can be found at www.MienergyMIjobs.com.