Michigan plugs in to plug-ins
MICHIGAN - Michigan utility DTE Energy said U.S. federal stimulus money targeting the plug-in electrical vehicle sector is an incredible opportunity for the state.
The economic collapse of 2008 wreaked havoc on the automotive-dependent economy in Michigan, contributing to an unemployment rate of 14.7 percent in August.
U.S. President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in February, pumping billions of government funds into the economy to stimulate growth.
Knut Simonsen, senior vice president of DTE Energy Resources, said national leaders and business investors would discuss Michigan opportunities at The Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit.
"With Michigan at a crucial crossroad in preparing for the future, plug-in electric vehicles present an incredible opportunity to address climate change, create jobs and capitalize on the new electric automotive industry," he said.
Jon Lauckner, vice president for General Motors Co. Global Program Management, said alternative fuel sources for the automotive sector could only help with a collaborative effort.
"We can only be successful if we know and listen to each other's issues and challenges and find solutions together," he said.
Related News
The crisis in numbers: How COVID-19 has reshaped Saskatchewan
REGINA - We’re only just beginning to grasp how COVID-19 has upended Saskatchewan’s economy, its government and all of our lives.
The numbers that usually make headlines — job losses, economic contraction, bankruptcies — are still well behind the pace of the virus and its toll.
But other numbers change more quickly. Saskatchewan people are using less power. We’re racking up fewer speeding tickets. And as new restrictions come, we’re clicking onto Saskatchewan.ca as much as 10,000 times per minute.
Here’s some data that provides a first glimpse into how much our province has changed in just six weeks.
Electricity use tends to rise…