LANSING – Late Wednesday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued a directive implementing a series of recommendations to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 20 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050.
The directive, 2009-4, implements the recommendations of the Michigan Climate Action Council. The group, appointed by Granholm in 2007, issued a series of recommendations calling for cuts in greenhouse gases by 20 percent in 2020 and 80 percent in 2050.
Granholm also issued the directive as a clean energy rally took place on the Capital lawn.
The directive orders changes to building codes to include higher energy standards, calls for greater use of intelligent transportation systems to help reduce vehicular congestion in major urban areas, and expands the Michigan Conservation and Climate Initiative to educate farmers in carbon sequestration.
She also said the state would develop a truck idling program for state trucks and heavy vehicles to cut down on emissions and develop an eco-driver program for all employees using state vehicles to “educate them on how to maximize vehicle fuel economy.”
In a statement, Granholm said, “The old argument that anything that helps the environment has to hurt the economy is over.” The proposal will help the state create jobs and save money, in part by reducing its dependence on foreign sources of energy.
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