Looking at the makeup of politics in Michigan, any time a Republican would step out and try something on energy — especially from a renewable or clean side — they felt like they were kind of catering to the left. There is plenty of environmental people that will talk about that, but there wasn’t a group of core conservatives doing it.
Not only that, but the vantage point we take has three main platforms: jobs and the economy; national security or grid security or what we call energy independence; and then natural resources and health, or what we like to call, ‘What is the legacy we are leaving for our children and grandchildren?’ That’s our realm and the world we work within.
Read MoreThe Michigan Conservative Energy Forum (MCEF) recently held its first annual Catalyst Conference in Lansing. Greening of the Great Lakes' Russ White was in attendance to hear what some of attendees had to say about this year's spotlight issue - Michigan's energy security.
The effort is to make Michigan's transition to clean, renewable energy sources as smooth as possible. Retired four-star U.S. Air Force general and chairman of CNA Corporation's Military Advisory Board, Ronald Keys, identifies climate change as a national security threat.
Read MoreLANSING, MI – Governor Rick Snyder tonight paved the way for conservatives to reclaim the energy debate in his annual State of the State address, members of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum (MCEF) said.
Read MoreLANSING — Several Republican leaders have formed a conservative group aimed at promoting renewable energy in Michigan.
The Michigan Conservative Energy Forum will push the state to reduce its dependence on coal and increase investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The announcement comes two days before Gov. Rick Snyder is scheduled to conduct a roundtable discussion on the future of Michigan's energy policy.
"For too long, we have allowed the energy discourse to be dominated by the left," said Larry Ward, former political director for the Michigan Republican Party and executive director of the forum.
Read More