Thursday, October 22, 2015
Nearly 30 companies and organizations in Michigan have formed Clean Fuels Michigan, an organization seeking to maintain the state’s position as a global leader in automotive manufacturing by advancing a clear vision, strategy, and advocacy for advanced powertrain technology and innovation. The overall goal is to promote investment, job growth, and sustainable technologies in Michigan.
Michigan’s leadership position in the automotive industry is well known. It supports more than 513,000 jobs and provides nearly $36 billion in annual earnings. However, notes Clean Fuels Michigan, dynamic forces are rapidly changing the future of mobility, and 37 states have policies to promote alternative fuel vehicles. Michigan is one of the relatively few states with no incentives supporting the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, and ranks 41st out of 50 states in the number of such vehicles per capita.
“Michigan must act quickly so that it can capitalize on the developing marketplace and ultimately improve Michigan’s overall economic competitiveness,” said Chris Milani, principal of the Rustbelt Group. “There needs to be a favorable policy climate so that Michigan can stay in the game and attract talent and position itself as the innovation leader for clean fuel technology.”
Clean Fuels Michigan will advance clean fuel neutral policies such as electric, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen fuel cell technology; advise policymakers; and help commercialization efforts. “Our members collectively believe in economic opportunities that stem from developing this technology and markets in Michigan,” said Eric Clinton, manager of NGV business development at DTE Energy. “Investments in clean alternative fuels will not only provide economic benefits to our communities, but result in environmental improvements that are essential to the health and wellbeing of Michigan’s citizens.”
Michigan’s leadership position in the automotive industry is well known. It supports more than 513,000 jobs and provides nearly $36 billion in annual earnings. However, notes Clean Fuels Michigan, dynamic forces are rapidly changing the future of mobility, and 37 states have policies to promote alternative fuel vehicles. Michigan is one of the relatively few states with no incentives supporting the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, and ranks 41st out of 50 states in the number of such vehicles per capita.
“Michigan must act quickly so that it can capitalize on the developing marketplace and ultimately improve Michigan’s overall economic competitiveness,” said Chris Milani, principal of the Rustbelt Group. “There needs to be a favorable policy climate so that Michigan can stay in the game and attract talent and position itself as the innovation leader for clean fuel technology.”
Clean Fuels Michigan will advance clean fuel neutral policies such as electric, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen fuel cell technology; advise policymakers; and help commercialization efforts. “Our members collectively believe in economic opportunities that stem from developing this technology and markets in Michigan,” said Eric Clinton, manager of NGV business development at DTE Energy. “Investments in clean alternative fuels will not only provide economic benefits to our communities, but result in environmental improvements that are essential to the health and wellbeing of Michigan’s citizens.”
