ALTERNATIVE and RENEWABLE ENERGY

"Michigan's geography and climate make us well-suited to develop energy generation which is good for the environment, good for jobs and for agriculture. And the 70th District - Montcalm and Ionia Counties - are especially well-positioned," notes Mike "Huck" Huckleberry.

"As we grow ethanol, wind, solar and water energy in our region, Montcalm and Ionia will be called Michigan's GREEN counties!" Huck points out.

The 70th State House candidate has been published in both the Greenville Daily News and the Ionia Sentinel Standard as supporting Governor Granholm's Renewable Energy Resources goals. A coalition of business, manufacturing, research, environmental, agricultural and entrepreneurial leaders (called MI Energy Future) have asked that the Michigan Legislature mandate that 10% of electrical power be renewable-sourced by 2015. But the Governor - and Huckleberry - hold to a higher standard:

25% renewable resource energy by 2025 !

Not only will this attainable goal help cut our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also promote jobs and agriculture in this part of Michigan! A recent collaborative study by the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers shows that renewable energy can create thousands of good jobs. Let's move Michigan forward again!

"While our ability here to grow corn for ethanol and grasses for grassoline are obvious, I believe wind and solar power should also be explored for this region of Michigan. These are not pie-in-the-sky schemes, they are attainable benefits.

"I will fight in Lansing to require the highest possible attainable Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and support Governor Granholm's energy initiatives,"emphasized Huck.

EDITOR'S NOTE: (1) Mike and Linda Huckleberry have had two solar- power systems at their house for years. (2) Huck hosted the first "blue-green" rally uniting Labor and Environmentalists at the Midland Steelworker's Hall in 2004.