Earlier today, 29 members of the Great Lakes Business Network submitted a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer calling on her to take strong executive action to make Michigan a leader in clean, renewable energy.
The Great Lakes Business Network is composed of business leaders from across the region committed to working in partnership with federal, state and local government leaders for policy action to protect the Great Lakes.
We thank you for your consideration of our position and look forward to working with you to implement a clean energy future in Michigan.
March 9, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Dear Governor Whitmer:
As business leaders and members of the Great Lakes Business Network, we urge you to take strong executive action to make Michigan a leader in clean, renewable energy. We recognize that the future of energy is electrified and renewable, and that Michigan has an opportunity to seize an economic advantage in the Midwest and globally by investing in strong clean energy policies and infrastructure.
As business leaders we are doing our part by making investments and taking action at our own businesses – and through the Great Lakes Business Network – to implement solar power and electric transportation in order to hasten a transition to a clean energy future. However, we also know that to meet the urgency of climate concerns and to get ahead of the global economic transition toward clean energy, we will need strong policy goals from our state and national leaders. More than a dozen other states have set bold renewable energy goals with timetables for action; we are calling on you to put Michigan on that list.
If done right, a rapid and just transition to carbon neutrality will create good paying jobs, improve the quality of life of all Michiganders, protect the environment and result in healthier Great Lakes, which we all love. Michigan put the world on wheels and built the middle class with an unwavering spirit for taking on the challenges of our time. With your leadership, Michigan now has an opportunity to move the nation forward on clean energy at this important moment.
The undersigned members of the Great Lakes Business Network call on you to act now to protect Michigan’s environment and invest in clean energy to give Michigan families a healthy future.
Undersigned Members of the Great Lakes Business Network:
Bob Sutherland, Founder & President, Cherry Republic;
Chair of the Great Lakes Business Network Clean Energy Committee
Larry Bell, Founder & CEO, Bells Brewing Company
Mark Sellers, Founder & Owner, BarFly Ventures/ HopCat
Charlie Wunsch, Co-Publisher, Edible Grande Traverse
Jim MacInnes, CEO, Crystal Mountain Resort
Peter Laing, Partner, Mawby Vineyards & Winery
Dave McGinnis, Captain/Owner, Traverse Tall Ship Company
Beryl Skrocki, Owner, Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak
Chelsea Bay, Founder, C. Bay Design
Patrick McCAbe, Co-Founder, GreenLancer
Whitney Ermatinger, Co-Owner, Speciation Artisan Ales
Aaron Peterson, Owner, Aaron Peterson Studios
Juliette McAvoy-King, King Orchards
Bryan Newland, Tribal Chairman, Bay Mills Casino & Resort
Joe Short, Founder, Shorts Brewing Co.
Beth Price, Owner, Beth Price Photography
Tricia Phelps, CEO, Taste the Local Difference
Hugh Ingalls, Co-Founder, Ingalls Pictures
Josh Leffingwell, Partner, Well Design Studios
Kristi Avery, Partner, FOR Investment Partners
Steve Nance, General Manager, Oryana Community Co-op
Tim Folkert, Owner, Migration Surf
Timothy Young, Founder, Food For Thought
Noah Marshall-Rashid, Co-Owner, American Spoon
Bill Latka, Founder, Storylicious
Rick Schmitt, Co-Owner, StormCloud Brewing Co.
Janet Hessler, Co-Owner, Betsie Bay Furniture
Liana May, Owner/ Botanist, Borealis Consulting
Tuhin Mitra, Co-Founder, Big Data Ignite
