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I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc.  Thanks for visiting my webpage.  One of the things that we are going to talk about today within the House of Representatives is renewable energy and how Michigan can be more energy efficient.   

Nearly half the states in our country are attracting thousands of "green-collar" jobs and millions of dollars in private investment by requiring that a certain amount of the electricity come from clean, renewable sources.

Now, to capture these jobs and other economic benefits of this rapidly growing renewable energy industry, the House of Representatives has passed legislation that would enable Michigan to enact its own Renewable Portfolio Standard, what we call RPS.

The Legislature has heard from major renewable energy providers who are waiting for Michigan to establish an RPS – this then would provide a stable, reliable market – before they're willing to commit to invest here.

We can retool our idled manufacturing plants and this would put thousands of our residents to work, for instance, making components for wind turbines.  In addition, ramping up our renewable energy production is going to help to diversify our economy and our energy options, making Michigan's future much more secure.

Every kilowatt hour that we produce from a renewable source is one less kilowatt hour we need to get from oil, from natural gas and or from coal, which of course we import. 

Establishing a Renewable Portfolio Standard that RPS , is also going to perhaps mean that we won't need to construct a new power plan in our state.  Many people have said that we'll need to build a new power plan by the year 2015 to meet the rising demand for electricity and once again, this RPS may help to avoid that.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard is part of the House of Representatives Energy Plan, which is going to provide residents and businesses with affordable electricity well into the future. It also assures companies from around the world who are considering investment in our state that we can provide access to the stable, reliable energy supply they need to conduct business.

If you have comments or questions about this legislation, or any other state government issue that might be interest you, please give me call toll-free at 888-737-5325, or, as you know, you can email me at my name, richardleblanc@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and it is my pleasure. 

I hope to see you soon, thanks for listening.