Cars will plug into outlets, a smart electric grid will turn off appliances at night, wind turbines and solar panels will sit on rooftops and all the energy will be captured by a battery. It’s just another day in the neighborhood.
This isn’t “The Jetsons” — this is how Gov. Jennifer Granholm sees the future of Michigan.
At least if Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is president.
On Thursday, Granholm sat with students at a roundtable discussion at Anthony Hall, where she campaigned for Obama and pushed the importance of green jobs and keeping a young workforce in Michigan – none of which can be done without Obama as president, she said.
Granholm is considering many new sustainable possibilities for Michigan, including hydropower, electric cars, clean coal and a device that would turn animal waste into energy. She said her son is a proponent.
“My son is all about ‘poop into power,’” she said.
Granholm hopes to transform Michigan from a “rust-belt state to a green-belt state.” With the recent automotive problems, she hopes to encourage hybrid and electric vehicles produced in Michigan — like the Chevrolet Volt. The all-electric Volt’s engine is expected to be made in Michigan in 2010.
But money was the concern for James Madison freshman Michael Overton, who was worried about how expensive the environmentally friendly vehicles cost.
The governor agreed the price was steep, but reminded Overton that Obama has a goal of 1 million hybrids on the road by 2015 — all of which will receive tax credits for their commitment to the environment.
In terms of the high cost of building renewable energy plants, Granholm said the federal government would finally have the means to contribute if Obama is leading the country.
“He’s obviously bringing home the troops (from Iraq) and not spending $10 billion a month in Iraq,” she said.
Michigan is looking to other countries for green inspiration as well. Sweden has been a large influence on Granholm in recent weeks, as the country’s king, Carl XVI Gustaf, accepted an invitation to spend some time in the state.
Even Gustaf was amazed by the high usage of energy in hotels, particularly for air conditioning.
“He said ‘I can’t even stand it in here!’” Granholm said. “He said it was too cold, and he’s from Sweden!”
Granholm felt the discussion with students was a great opportunity for her to encourage the future generation not to relocate out of the state.
“We want them to stay in Michigan,” Granholm said. “Opportunities to stay in the area are going to come to Michigan.”
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