EPA Region V Administrator Susan Hedman, at the microphone, discusses federal climate change policy as speakers Rev. Kenneth Shelton of the Muskegon-Ottawa Community Action Program (left), George Siler of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, third from left, and former Governor Jennifer Granholm listen. Those who have pledged to “act on climate change” include state representatives Marcia Hovey-Wright (second from left) and Collene Lamonte (fourth from left).
LEGAL NEWS PHOTO BY CYNTHIA PRICE
by Cynthia Price
Legal News
Notable speakers on Monday’s Muskegon stop of the national “I Will Act on Climate” bus tour included both former Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Director of the US Environmental Protection Agency Region V in Chicago, Susan Hedman.
The bus is touring 27 states to draw attention to how much local support there is for clean energy and the economic growth it can bring, and to encourage local residents to take action on climate change.
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, part of Grand Valley State University, hosted a number of speakers and supporters Monday. Muskegon was one of only two statewide stops, both sponsored by Progress Michigan; the bus went on to Detroit in the afternoon.
Hedman highlighted President Barack Obama’s actions on climate change, mentioning his 15-year plan to address climate change and job generation. A recently poll by the League of Conservation Voters found that 65% of voters support “the President taking significant steps to address climate change now.”
The president announced the nation’s first-ever limits on carbon pollution, and the plan addresses infrastructure improvements for greater climate change resiliency, as well as the need to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency.
Both Granholm and Hedman emphasized that other countries with greater commitment to renewables have the potential to surpass the U.S. economically. Granholm said that when she was recently in China, an official asked her when she thought America was going to catch up on renewables, and after she replied that she was uncertain how soon it would be in light of political gridlock, he told her, “Take your time.”
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