It's been said over and over again how influencial Michigan could be in the nation's alternative energy industry. We're surrounded by water, have windy coasts, and a whole lot of Michiganders looking for work. The state just needs a little push and bam! Michigan is the alternative energy state. That's the future, maybe.
Energy parks could also be the future. MSU released a report saying that Michigan should turn its many brownfields into alternative energy parks by installing solar panels or wind turbines. These parks would utilize the brownfields, create alternative energy, stimulate investment, and create jobs.
Hard to find a downside.
Excerpt:
The report suggests some of these "brownfields" could be used for the installation of solar panels or wind turbines capable of generating an estimated 5,855 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power about 1.8 million, or nearly 50 percent, of Michigan's homes.
The study estimates that transforming brownfields into renewable energy parks would stimulate an investment of more than $15 billion in solar and wind energy equipment and related construction. It also would create 17,500 short- and long-term job opportunities.
"The opportunities are extremely huge," said Soji Adelaja, director of Michigan State's Land Policy Institute and the report's lead author.
Read the entire article
here.
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