It’s been a busy week for clean energy news here in Michigan! Today, Governor Granholm attended the closing session of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Jobs and Energy Forum in Detroit, where she joined with Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin to unveil MGA’s Jobs Platform and Energy Infrastructure Accord.

“Clean energy is an opportunity that the Midwest is capitalizing on as states continue to be leaders in driving economic growth and innovation,” said Granholm, chair of the MGA. “We are focused on ways to create jobs in this new energy economy, both in Michigan and across the Midwest.”

The two-day long forum highlighted actions states are taking to make the Midwest region the energy epicenter of the nation by taking advantage of the region’s vast natural resources, manufacturing expertise, and highly skilled workforce. Granholm and Doyle spoke to a broad group of stakeholders on the importance of making the Midwest the nation’s clean energy hub.

At the forum, Granholm highlighted two documents: a jobs platform that will serve as a basis to help attract investment in clean energy and ensure that the region has a workforce prepared for the new jobs that will be created. This platform also suggests that it is necessary to begin aligning energy, economic, and workforce policies to maximize potential. Granholm also discussed the Energy Infrastructure Accord, which identifies steps that states will take to expand electricity transmission, carbon capture and storage, smart-grid, and biofuel transport technologies so states can efficiently transmit clean energy throughout the region to the rest of the country. The governor said the accord brings the Midwest a step closer to meeting energy goals by transforming ideas into tangible results and capabilities. To view the documents visit: www.midwesterngovernors.org/energy.htm

Clean energy jobs are already here in Michigan, with more on the way. Yesterday, it was announced that Georgia-based Suniva Inc. (www.suniva.com) will invest $250 million in a new solar manufacturing facility in Saginaw County’s Thomas Township. Suniva will create 500 new jobs over the next five years, subject to receiving a Department of Energy loan guarantee.

“Today we welcome Suniva to our growing list of world-class green manufacturing leaders that are establishing operations here,” Granholm said. “They’re coming here for the skilled workforce, strong work ethic and competitive business climate that are synonymous with Michigan.”

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) today, on Michigan Economic Development Corporation recommendation (MEDC), approved a photovoltaic Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credit valued at $15 million over five years. Michigan’s photovoltaic MBT credit provides a refundable tax credit for the construction and operation of a facility that develops and manufactures photovoltaic technology, photovoltaic systems or photovoltaic energy. Other state and local incentives will be considered at a future date.

The photovoltaic credit is the first of its kind in the nation.

Keeping on the subject of solar energy, on Monday the Governor attended the unveiling of Dow Chemical’s Powerhouse Solar Shingle product. The shingles are installed as easily as regualr asphalt shingles, and connect to a converter box in you home. The product is going into testing and limited release in the next year, and should be available for commerical use within two years. Dow’s Solar Solutions employs 60 people as of now, with hundreds of jobs to be added in the future as demand for the product grows. WJRT brings us video of the event:

You can read the entire Dow story that explains how the product works, and why it will be cheaper than current solar roof systems from Reuters.

During the MGA conference yesterday, it was announced that to help facilitate new companies to set-up business in Michigan, the US Commerce Dept. has opened a one-stop shop named CommerceConnect, located at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in Plymouth. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Together, the state of Michigan and the Commerce Department are partnering to make it easier for businesses to tap into the information they need and the help we can provide to grow the economy and create new jobs,” Granholm said. “We applaud Secretary Locke and are thrilled he’s chosen Michigan for this pilot.”

And finally, it was also announced yesterday that the incentives for the transformation of the Wixom Ford plant have been approved, and the facility will move forward with the plans to bring both Clairvoyant Energy Solar Panel Manufacturing Inc. (www.clairvoyant-energy.com) and Xtreme Power Inc. (http://www.xtremepowersolutions.com/) to the grounds. Over 4,000 direct jobs are expected to be produced by the two companies. For more details on the project, read the whole press release here.

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