Agri-energy is something Michigan might be hearing a lot about in the coming future. You've probably heard of ethanol - basically corn fuel - and maybe the word bio-energy... well both of those fall into and are now called agri-energy, and the agri-energy industry is poised for tremendous growth here in the state of Michigan.
Excerpt:
Pennington: We have some of the most innovative
and forward-thinking farmers as well as a climate and natural resources
that position Michigan to benefit significantly. In 2008, it has been
estimated that Americans spent $700 billion on petroleum. Federal
policy puts us on track to produce 25 percent of our transportation
fuel from renewable sources. Imagine the potential of diverting 25
percent of $700 billion to our farmers and entrepreneurs in rural
America.
Pueppke: Michigan's agricultural and forestry
sectors will benefit economically from having new markets for materials
we can produce. But beyond this, there are significant jobs
opportunities for transportation, logistics, and in the biorefineries
themselves. We should not underestimate the opportunities for research
and development, which provides jobs for Michigan's young talent and
keeps it in the state. And because we have a long history of
manufacturing, there is potential that the state can become a producer
of biorefinery equipment and materials that can be sold in other parts
of the country.
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