LANSING – As part of her drive to make energy a leading factor in an economic turnaround for Michigan, Governor Jennifer Granholm on Monday issued an executive order converting the Department of Labor and Economic Growth into the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
Granholm also announced that Skip Pruss, who has been her special advisor on energy, will serve as director of the department as the current DLEG director, Keith Cooley, is resigning to take the post of CEO with NextEnergy in Detroit.
The department restructuring was made part of Executive Order 2008-20. Under the reorganization the newly structured department will take charge of development of alternative energy sources as well major conservation programs. Prior to the order both functions were the responsibility of the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality respectively.
“The new energy economy is singularly Michigan’s greatest opportunity to create thousands of new jobs, attract new investment and diversify our economy,” Granholm said in a statement.
Consolidating all of the state’s various efforts into one agency will provide for greater efficiency in focusing development efforts of energy-related industries, Granholm said.
Granholm also the said the department will help promote the development of advanced energy technologies which will prove vital to the state’s efforts to rebuild the auto industry be creation of new power trains and fuel systems that would be part of alternative energy cars and trucks.
Granholm also said the department will help to coordinate efforts with NextEnergy to further boost the state’s alternative energy and development strategy.
The departmental changes will stand approved unless rejected by both houses of the Legislature within 60 days. Pruss’ appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, again within 60 days.
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