The Pew Charitable Trusts announced its collaboration with former Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to launch a national campaign for clean energy policies that create jobs, stimulate innovation, spur investment and enhance America’s competitiveness in the global clean energy race (PDF).
Gov. Granholm brings first-hand experience on how clean energy policies stimulate business investment, create jobs and lead to economic growth.
Elected governor of Michigan in 2002, Granholm was re-elected in 2006, leading the state through an economic downturn that resulted from a meltdown in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. She worked relentlessly to diversify the state’s economy, strengthen its auto industry, preserve the manufacturing sector and add new industry sectors, such as clean energy, to Michigan’s economic portfolio.
“Gov. Granholm has a demonstrated track record in growing the clean energy economy in the U.S.,” said Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. “During her eight years as governor of Michigan, she pioneered some of the most compelling clean energy policies in the nation, working with business and labor, Republicans and Democrats to create new economic opportunities for the state.”
Among her accomplishments, the governor’s leadership attracted over 89,000 jobs and $9.4 billion in clean energy investments in Michigan. “If we can do that … think of what the nation can do with smart, pragmatic energy policies,” said Granholm.
Together, Pew and Gov. Granholm will travel the country to demonstrate the economic opportunities of advancing new policies that make cars cleaner, industry more efficient and renewable energy more accessible and affordable. Read the press release.