FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Feb. 4, 2019

LANSING – The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) today issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Department of Environmental Quality will be reorganized to include the Agency for Energy and Office of the Great Lakes and to create a new Office on Climate and Energy. Gov. Whitmer also announced that Michigan will be joining the U.S. Climate Alliance.

“Michigan’s energy production, air and water quality, and economy are all inherently linked, and today’s announcement creates the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to reflect these connections. We also applaud the Administration’s commitment to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, which will promote clean energy deployment in Michigan, enhance modernization of our energy system, and help enable the automated, electrified, and shared transportation future,” said Laura Sherman, vice president of policy development for Michigan EIBC.

“The newly formed department is a positive step toward continuing Michigan’s growth in the clean energy sector. We are proud that former Michigan EIBC president Liesl Clark will lead this new department. Her expertise in energy and environmental policy will be invaluable as Michigan transitions to an advanced energy economy. We look forward to working with the Whitmer administration and new Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to create jobs and increase deployment of advanced energy while improving water and air quality and decreasing electricity costs,” added Sherman.