This email came in from Jeannine Palms:
Let’s make a difference! By signing this petition, we can stop new coal plants from coming to Michigan and polluting our air, lakes and streams.
Join me in telling your legislator that coal plants are just dead wrong for Michigan.
I understand that we currently will use coal for energy, and this petition is not to have NO coal plants – just none built before there is a strong renewable energy standard that supports the future of our state’s economy and quality of living (like, air quality).
I added my name to the petition. Here are the words of it:
TELL YOUR LEGISLATOR:
STOP THE COAL RUSH AND MOVE MICHIGAN INTO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTUREMichigan’s energy future is in the crosshairs. Our state is threatened with an onslaught of at least seven more dirty coal-fired power plants that will keep Michigan locked in the energy dark ages, dependent on imported fossil fuels and producing more dangerous global warming pollution. More outdated dirty coal plants will hamper the development of clean energy and the good paying jobs that come with it.
But the Legislature can stop this from happening NOW by passing a NO NEW COAL PLANT policy until Michigan has a strong Clean Energy Plan that would:
* Enact a strong renewable energy standard that requires energy providers to generate 20 percent of their electric power from renewable sources by 2020.
* Enact strong statewide utility funded energy efficiency programs that result in at least 1% energy savings per year.
* Protect consumers from having to absorb the skyrocketing future costs of coal burning.
* Implement a long term energy plan that guarantees energy efficiency and renewable power are used before any more outdated coal plants are built.
* Develop new standards for controlling the emissions of CO2.It’s time for Michigan’s leaders to put old-fashioned, dirty, global-warming coal power aside and point the state to a new, clean, jobs-rich future that protects the Great Lakes.
Time is of the essence. Michigan’s energy future is on the line. Act Now. Stop the coal rush that threatens our state. No more dirty coal plants until renewable and energy efficiency measures are in place