Ohio, Michigan Partner For Clean Energy Manufacturing
LANSING (WWJ) -- Sometimes, Michigan and Ohio can work together. Monday, they announced a deal to work together to build a more energy-efficient economy.
Officials from both states launched the Michigan-Northeastern Ohio Regional Clean Energy Roadmap Project with $400,000 in federal funding and $302,500 from the two states.
The project aims to foster growth in the clean energy sector in both states, promoting technologies to improve energy efficiencies.
The Clean Energy Roadmap Project will develop technology roadmaps, analyze value chains, create asset maps, and convene stakeholders, companies and others to identify opportunities and barriers to growing clean-energy manufacturing in Michigan and Ohio.
Organizers say manufacturers of energy-efficiency products in Michigan and Ohio will receive vital assistance in developing technology, designing prototypes, improving manufacturing processes and assessing opportunities in the burgeoning energy market.
"The key is to understand the capacity of the current energy-efficiency manufacturing sector, and to determine what is needed to compete and succeed in the advanced energy market," said Steve Bakkal, director of the Michigan Energy Office, which is managed under the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "Ideally, we're creating opportunities for Michigan energy-efficiency manufacturers to grow their business, but this also helps to attract new businesses."
In October, the American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy ranked Michigan as the 12th most effective state in terms of energy efficiency policies.
According to Bakkal, the project provides energy-efficiency manufacturers with expert analysis so improvements can be readily made and specific recommendations can be heeded to enhance competitiveness.
NextEnergy of Detroit and NorTech of Ohio will conduct independent and comprehensive assessments of the strengths and assess of energy efficiency based companies in Michigan and northeastern Ohio.
Since 2002, NextEnergy has helped to attract $1.3 billion in new advanced energy technology investments. The Detroit-based nonprofit partners with universities, nonprofit research groups and a range of businesses in the pursuit of developing and testing energy technologies. NextEnergy's evaluation of current energy-efficiency manufacturers will examine the process from raw material stage to design to engineering to manufacturing and delivery.
The U.S. Department of Energy funds for the Clean Energy Roadmap Project come from the federally administered State Energy Program, which awarded $4 million to 13 states to increase statewide energy savings and boost energy efficiency of public institutions, local governments and industrial sectors.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will conduct a roundtable discussion on the future of Michigan's energy policy. For more information, please visit http://www.michigan.gov/snyder.
