Environmental Policy (Two) – Energy policies, electric vehicles

In our Environmental “One” release on Earth Day – 2018, we tackled how to approach some of the issues involving Michigan’s groundwater.    As Governor, I promise to understand the balanced demands of a modern economy that includes industrial production, the need for employment, and an uncompromised protection of the health of Michigan citizens.

I’m not running for Governor to be King.  Simply a partner with our legislature and others to make rapid and significant improvements to the health and well-being of our State.   And this can be done without massive tax increases and the destruction of our economic base.   But, only if we stop wasting money –  and LOTS of it.

So, the items discussed here ONLY make sense if we have the courage, the focus, and most of all the common sense to make changes in our spending habits.

In this position paper, I’m outlining a plan to provide a new energy future for Michigan.    One that protects the environment in substantial and unique ways.    It seeks to produce game-changing effects to improve the health of our citizens, open employment opportunities, and all without creating havoc within the business community.    I believe we can reach the consensus that MOST residents of our State will support – without a radical shutdown of business activities nor turning a blind eye to the degradation and despoiling of our most precious resources.   Please consider the following.

• I support commercial viable clean energy initiatives.

This is an important area of contrast with my primary opponent.    Mr. Tatar has called for a stoppage of the so-called Smart Meters used by utility companies to measure energy usage.    If interested in his argumentation, please check out his website.   For me, it’s all bunk.

The American Cancer Society has said that there is no credible evidence that Smart-Meters are the cause of cancer or any idiopathic disorder.   Nonetheless, I support the general purpose of the Analog Meter Choice Bill (HB 4220) as fundamental to allowing freedom of choice.

Along with that, the PSC should set alternative rates for such analog devices consistent with the additional costs such devices may impose on service agencies.

Too often, in the run to provide choice, Libertarians have allowed urban legend and conspiratorial thinking to become part of their political mantra.

Our environment MUST be managed using science, and not negative speculation and myth – often generated by businesses seeking to avoid responsibilities.   Others try to pretend that climate change is not real.   I’m not one of those people.

 

• My BOLD plan to exceed and dwarf the current Renewable Portfolio Standard will be accomplished by the following.

1. Modification of Act 295 of 2008 to expand authorization for a Feed-In Tariff – reviewed and approved by the PSC and not to exceed 10% of real cost. Unlike the German model, which used much larger cost tariffs, I support a business deduction model in which residential producers can write off and amortize investment like any business.

2. While my opponent opposes Smart Meters – I would like to see expanded use of 2^nd Generation Smart Meters, which are essential to make the FIT work. This will not only help us reach for 30% RPS by 2025, but also will create thousands of good-paying jobs.

3. The authorization of private-funding corporation specifically to manage longer-term asset attachment for businesses and homeowners hoping to become producers.

The FIT is a key component in European renewable success – which vastly outstrips the pace of American conversion to renewable energy sources.

• One of the key reasons to support the FIT is new economic opportunity

An important part of the FIT is the jobs / financial incentives it creates.    A FIT-based energy network empowers literally thousands of producers to become independent of the power company – and thus opportunity to cut costs.   This is VITAL to bringing rural Michigan into the culture of renewable energy.

Windfarms have provided modest financial benefit to farmers.   A substantial commitment to expansive use of solar, wind, and in a lesser extent – hydro capabilities – will induce the industrial financing and locating of production facilities needed to serve millions of potential power producers.   It’s key to get the agricultural community on board.  I can do that.

The sale, installation, repair and management of an enormous renewable grid will create thousands of good paying jobs.

The key is to create broad consensus across both urban and rural areas and ensure that opportunities are market-based.   Market domination by DTE and CEC will mean only a slow change and likely to lose public support.    We need to unleash the small entrepreneur as was done in Germany.

The election of a Libertarian – free from the interest group politics that have come to dominate Lansing, will SHOCK not only the State, but the Nation.

 

• The world is changing. We have to use common sense and market-base opportunities to protect our environment.    Are electric cars the answer?

I’m not yet convinced that electric vehicles are likely to create significant opportunities to reduce emissions.    It’s a capacity / price issue that the marketplace does not support.   Tax incentives or other manipulations for automobiles is the wrong approach.

However, electrified mass-transit vehicles and intra-urban modules may be the best tool to take a bite out of not only emissions, but urban congestion.    To achieve this and meet market-based prices points, we need to have an “all of the above” strategy.

1. Rapid implementation of the FIT. (key to increasing production) – We can’t manage the future load expectations to increase ELV unless we expand capacity.   Coal plant retirement makes this more vital.

2. Natural gas conversion of urban fleets: Busses, trash trucks, county plow vehicles, ect..  NG vs. Oil based CO2/mile is a tremendous trade-out that environmentally conscious people should endorse.   The Good should not be the enemy of the Perfect.

3. Hemp-based ethanol production – including the increasing promising indoor multi-level platforms.

4. Development of electric / renewable only urban turnpikes for point-to-point commuting. We should develop preferential toll-roads.

5. Electrified mass-transit corridors to reduce urban drive-miles.

This last one scares every libertarian in the world.  Relax.   I support self-supporting mass-transit initiatives which respect property rights and provide sensible options for those who choose them.

The fact is that all transit systems impose public costs.   More travel lanes, repairs, more use of eminent domain to seize private land.    It’s time we creative Michigan people get together to find cooperative ways to be a mobility champion.

We don’t have to compromise basic principles to find common ground.