Governor Snyder wants the state (Michigan) to use less coal
Every once in a while he gets something right
WARREN (WJRT) - (03/13/15) - Gov. Snyder says the state needs to make some big changes in the way it uses energy, like coal and wind. To make the changes, he'll need the Legislature's help.
Snyder says we use way too much coal to generate electricity, so he's establishing some policies to make Michigan greener and more energy efficient.
"We're one of the largest users of coal in the country and coal has lots of challenges, and I think most of us would agree, when you look at the analysis, the long term future is going to be moving away from coal," he said.
One of those coal burning plants is the Karn-Weadock Complex in Bay County's Hampton Township. Units seven and eight there are scheduled to be shut down in April 2016.
So what should replace coal?
"We'll probably see more renewables, more natural gas. Keep nuclear where it's at, about 20 percent of the marketplace. It will probably stay about that. The best energy is energy we don't use, eliminate energy waste," said St. Sen. Jim Ananich, (D) Flint.
Snyder agrees and wants programs to make homes and businesses more energy efficient.
"We're assuming in the next 10 year period we can talk about eliminating energy waste; that would account for 15 percent of the energy we would otherwise be using in the state," he said.
Ananich and Snyder both want to see more use of the less polluting energy sources.
"Let's move from coal to cleaner sources that longer term give us better affordability and reliability," Snyder said.
"If people know that 10 years down the road, that this industry is going to be around, people will make investments, they'll bring solar plants, they'll bring wind turbines, and we can get that number up higher," Ananich said.
Synder says by 2025, renewable energy will make up about 19 percent of the states energy pie.
http://www.abc12.com/home/headlines/Gov-Snyder-wants-the-state-to-use-less-coal-296266401.html
