Michigan — On January 31st during Focus the Nation events throughout the state of Michigan, Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition will announce the launch of the, "Energy Future" campaign. The campaign will work through the election of 2008 to elect a Michigan congress that will take the first steps for a clean energy economy and pass strong clean energy legislation in Michigan.

The Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition Energy Future campaign platform is for the Michigan State Government to enact an energy policy that includes as follows: 1. A renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) of at least 25% by 2025. 2. An energy efficiency (EE) standard requiring 2% energy efficiency increases in this state per year until 2015, with a commitment to the renegotiation of a stronger standard after 2015. Create clean energy programs that stimulate job growth in Michigan through energy conservation. 3. Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) of Energy Projects. All new energy projects should consider all costs, including public health and environmental costs. 4. No new coal-fired or nuclear power plants in Michigan. Coal and nuclear power are harmful to human health, bad for communities and an environmental disaster. Coal emissions are the leading cause of Global Warming. A detailed outline of the campaign can be found at: here

"Michigan as a state is poised to benefit immensely from significant investment in to sustainable technologies and renewable energy," said Midwest Freedom from Oil Student Organizer, Brandon Knight, of Global Exchange. "Michigan has the opportunity to become a clean energy manufacturing powerhouse of the world, and to bring green economy jobs to the region, while at the same time solving the climate crisis." The Energy Future campaign has planned two projects to promote the campaign platform in early 2008, including a Valentines Day Card Drive for Clean Energy and a Lobby Day on April 10th. The projects are intended to empower Michigan youth to demand a strong Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for the state and investment in energy efficient technology.

For more information about the energy future campaign, please call or email Brandon Knight, (248) 521-4219, brandon@globalexchange.org.

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