For your information, there may be legislation passing this week (Nov 30th – Dec 2nd) in the Michigan legislature on offshore wind. This legislation (HB 6564 – http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/pdf/2010-HIB-6564.pdf) creates a permitting process such that the waters of the State of Michigan are protected and the development of offshore wind resources is enabled. Adopting this legislation now will give Michigan the opportunity to move ahead of other States in building both offshore wind supply chain businesses and Great Lakes offshore wind deployment and maintenance businesses.
Offshore wind is a rapidly growing industry globally. Federal policy supports and projects substantial deployment in the United States. Due to economies of scale, there will likely be only one or two regions in North American and a handful worldwide where most of this manufacturing is done. Offshore wind equipment is the kind of highly engineered product manufactured using advanced methods and materials that complement Michigan’s great strengths.
Offshore wind projects will require substantial port-based deployment and maintenance work. Again due to economies of scale, there will likely be only one or two ports in the Great Lakes from which most of this work will be done. We want Michigan to be the home of the Great Lakes offshore wind industry so that we and other companies like ours can prosper here and provide Michigan jobs.
If you are interested in supporting the bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation, please contact Jack Schmitt in Rep. Scripps office at jschmitt@house.mi.gov or Sen. Birkholz office at senpbirkholz@senate.michigan.gov as soon as possible and not later than close of business Wednesday, December 1st.
Source: Dana Sevakis, The Apollo Alliance
