LANSING - Cutting-edge energy developer M&M Energy today hailed a Senate energy plan, calling it a step in the right direction that can open the door to new technology such as carbon-capture and storage capable of generating clean, manufacturing-
"The Senate energy plan is a step in the right direction that recognizes the importance of new energy technology and how it can strengthen Michigan's energy future while fighting global warming," M&M President Mike Sawruk said. "With the support of the entire Legislature and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Michigan can be a leader in new technology such as gasification and carbon-capture and storage, which can provide Michigan with much-needed energy while protecting our Great Lakes, land and air. Thanks to the Senate, Michigan is headed on the path toward clean energy, Michigan energy and Michigan jobs."
Late on Friday, the Senate approved a proposal that embraces new energy technology such as gasification and carbon-capture and storage, which cleanly generates alternative energy from coal, coal waste byproducts and biomass while at the same time trapping up to 80 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and eliminating virtually all mercury and many other greenhouse gases. The Senate plan allows power generated by gasification and CCS to be classified as renewable energy, making it eligible to be considered under a statewide renewable portfolio standard. M&M Energy is building such a project at the Great Lakes Energy Research Park in Alma. M&M's clean energy project is expected to create hundreds of goodpaying jobs both permanently and during the construction phase.
M&M praised key senators who provided leadership on the proposal to embrace carbon-capture and storage as a renewable energy technology, such as Sens. Patricia Birkholz, who sponsored the measure, and Roger Kahn, who spearheaded its passage in the Senate. The plan is contained in Senate Bill 213 (http://legislature.mi.gov/
In a June 22 editorial, the Detroit Free Press praised M&M's GLERP project, saying: "This type of project is about as precisely suited to Michigan's assets as anyone could dream up." The Free Press called on Michigan to "ensure that this operation qualifies for various incentives available to other businesses."
"At a time when our state needs to compete economically and fight global warming, we must move toward clean energy projects such as carbon capture and storage," Sawruk said. "Michigan has the workforce and the resources to become a leader in new, clean energy technologies that can protect our precious Great Lakes, create good-paying jobs and move the economy forward. M&M Energy is excited to be a part of the solution to Michigan's goal of becoming an economic, energy and environmental leader."
