Michigan factories should be retooled for alternative energy products, Obama says

A little financial help may go a long way for the state of Michigan. With the state's slip in manufacturing jobs and its geographic location, the state is poised for a boom in the alternative energy industry. It just needs a little push. Or, better said, a little cash. Democratic Prez nominee Barack Obama says he has a plan just for this kind of thing.

Excerpt:

"That's how we'll not only protect our auto industry and our auto workers, but help them thrive in a 21st century economy," he said to applause. "We will help states like Michigan build the fuel-efficient cars we need, and we will get 1 million 150 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrids on our roads within six years."

Obama said those efforts will help Michigan escape the economic doldrums that have plagued the state as domestic automakers have struggled with falling sales of its trucks and large sport utility vehicles and growing demand for small cars.

"At the turn of the 20th century, there were literally hundreds of car companies offering a wide choice of steam vehicles and gas engines," Obama said. "I believe we are entering a similar era of expanding consumer choices, from higher mileage cars, to new electric entrants like GM's Volt, to flex fuel cars and trucks powered by biofuels and driven by Michigan innovation."


Read the entire article here.
Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.