Michigan businesses study potential of clean energy jobs plan

Michigan businesses study potential of clean energyjobs plan(Via Niles Daily Star)SOUTH BEND, Ind. –Joined by State Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend),

Michiana business leaders today urged Congress topass a clean energy jobs

plan that would boost Indiana’s economy and grownew jobs in the area.The business leaders cited bothpersonal experiences and recent studies

that underscore how comprehensive clean energyand climate legislation can

renew the economy with new clean energy jobs. Alsohighlighted was a new

poll that shows strong public support forCongressional action.“It’s time to get Americarunning on clean energy,” said TJ Kanczuzewski,

executive vice president of Inovateus Solar in SouthBend, where the local

businesses gathered today.“Clean energy jobs arealready keeping thousands of Hoosiers working. I

know first hand that if Congress passes acomprehensive clean energy and

climate plan we could put thousands more back towork in our state alone.”Kanczuzewski’s father,Leonard of Cassopolis, owns the former business

incubator in Cassopolis, called Inovateus BusinessCenter. Along with

SCORE, which has an office in the center, potentialand existing businesses

can get needed assistance in forming and executingtheir business plans.A study from the Pew CharitableTrusts, entitled “Clean Energy Economy,”

examined the number of clean energy jobs thatalready exist in each state.

It found that 17,300 Hoosiers are already employedin the clean energy

economy.“Clean energy jobs are real and they’rehere today,” said Tom Topash,

president of Turtle Island Wind and Solar in BerrienCenter. “Now we just

need Congress to act so our businesses can createmore jobs, slash

pollution, and make America more secure.”A secondstudy from the Center for American Progress andthe Political

Economy Research Institute at the University ofMassachusetts-Amherst found

that the clean energy jobs plan passed by theHouse of Representatives –

the American Clean Energy and Security Act – wouldcreate 1.7 million net

new jobs. That includes 38,000 new clean energyjobs for Indiana.“We need bold action to renew oureconomy,” said Ron Williams, president of

Take Action Solar and Wind in Elkhart, Ind. “Bypassing clean energy and

climate legislation now, Congress can make surethat the clean energy jobs

of tomorrow are right here in Michiana.”In additionto providing new jobs and a boost to the overalleconomy, a

clean energy jobs plan would be of particular benefitto low-income

Americans. A report from Green for All and theNatural Resources Defense

Council, entitled “Green Prosperity,” highlights thepotential for a clean

energy jobs plan to fight poverty and raise livingstandards in communities

across the U.S.“Low-income Americans stand to gaintremendously – with new jobs, higher

wages, and lower living expenses,” said HeidiMcHugh, marketing manager for

Middlebury’s Home and Mobile Energy. “Building theclean energy economy

will benefit all Americans, but there is evidence thatit will help some of

those hit hardest by the economic collapse themost.”Finally, a new poll conducted on behalf of theNational Wildlife Federation

by Zogby International shows strong public supportfor comprehensive clean

energy and climate legislation. A supermajority ofrespondents, 71 percent,

support the plan passed by the House in June. Thepoll also underscored

strong support for Senate action, with more thanhalf of respondents

agreeing that the Senate should act quickly to passa comprehensive clean

energy and climate plan.“The public stronglysupports the clean energy jobs plan passed by the

House and it’s also clear they want the Senate to actquickly,” said Linda

Yoder, vice president of Government Affairs for oneof Indiana’s newest

clean energy companies, Electric Motors Corp. inWakarusa/Nappanee.”When

Congress comes back from recess, it’s time for theSenate to get working to

put America back to work in t