FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 15 January 2008Contact: David Willett, 202.675.6698 Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384 Primary Issues--Jobs and Clean Energy FACT CHECK: Clean Energy, Fuel Economy and Growing Michigan’s Economy Energy and global warming issues continue to play a high profile role inthe Presidential Primary process. Most recently the issues have arisenlate in the Michigan primary with discussion of how cleaner energysolutions may effect Michigan workers and the economy. The Sierra Clubreleased the following fact-check to measure against any claims made bycandidates about the clean energy solutions that can, in fact, curb globalwarming while creating jobs: Myth: Clean energy policies will cost Michigan jobsFact: Clean energy could create 34,777 new manufacturing jobs at 2,050Michigan companies· 24,350 new jobs manufacturing components for wind turbines· 6,650 new jobs manufacturing solar components· 3,783 new jobs manufacturing biomass and geothermal energy components Jobs and economic growth for key Michigan counties:· Wayne: 3,431 jobs at 228 companies, with $557 million in economicgrowth· Oakland: 3,063 jobs at 306 companies, with $480 million in economicgrowth· Macomb: 3,227 jobs at 260 companies, with $465 million in economicgrowth· Kent: 3,575 jobs at 172 companies, with $514 million in economicgrowth An independent analysis commissioned by the Blue-Green Alliance, apartnership of the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers, released lastNovember examined which manufacturing firms would benefit from a nationalcommitment to get approximately 20 percent of our electricity fromrenewable sources. The study found that over 820,000 new manufacturingjobs would be created nationwide, with the bulk going to the states thathave suffered the most as manufacturing jobs have fled the country inrecent years. · Details: http://www.sierraclub.org/bluegreenjobs· Summary of study data and map of firms in Michigan: http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/bluegreenjobs/downloads/mi.pdf· In the news: "Groups Push Renewable Energy," Detroit News, 16November 2007 http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711160371 MYTH: The increase in fuel economy (CAFE) standards will hurt Michigan andthe economy.FACT: Raising fuel economy to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 will create jobs,save consumers billions, and make us more energy independent.· Create 170,800 new jobs, including 22,300 in the auto industry· Create 8,500 new jobs in Michigan alone· Save 1.1 million barrels of oil each day· Save consumers $22 billion at the pump The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed the benefits of the CAFEprovision that Congress passed by overwhelming margins and was signed intolaw on December 19, 2007. The measure was supported by environmentalists,the United Autoworkers, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, andinfluential Michigan legislators including Rep. John Dingell and Sen. CarlLevin. Detailed UCS Analysis:http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/fuel_economy/fuel-economy-jobs-and-consumer-savings.html # # #
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