MSU Study Disagrees With Cox On Energy Standard

The Michigan State University Land Policy Institute begs to differ with Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

Cox has announced his opposition to proposals for a Renewable Portfolio Standard mandating that Michigan utilities must generate a given percentage of their power from renewable sources.

Cox said the proposal would cause electricity prices to rise, and provide few new jobs.

However, a Land Policy Institute study -- available at www.landpolicy.msu.edu/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=60 -- shows that with a Michigan RPS, wind power alone in Michigan would produce 1,100 construction jobs per year for the next two decades, 218 permanent jobs related to the management and maintenance of wind installations by 2010, and 3,010 permanent, continuing jobs related to the management and maintenance of wind installations by 2029.

The study also says the RPS would cause $1.25 billion per year in construction-related new investments and spending in Michigan over the next two decades, $464 million in continuous annual spending in maintenance and management by 2010 and $4.4 billion by 2029, $21 million per year in new construction wages for the next two decades, $7.6 million in permanent annual wages by 2010 and $96 million by 2029 and $4.8 million in lease payments to landowners per year by 2010 and $47 million per year by 2029.