MICHIGAN — A report by the group Climate Power shows that the State of Michigan leads the nation is new clean jobs. The jobs come from a combination of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislation and economic development tools that are helping drive more jobs to the state.
“Michigan has landed more clean energy projects as a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act than any other state,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to the administration and our hardworking congressional delegation, Michigan is positioned to lead the future of clean energy production, which will help us create tens of thousands of good-paying new jobs, drive down costs for families, and protect our precious air, land, and lakes. With all of these new projects and our new 100% clean energy by 2040 standard that we established last year, we are working towards a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future. Let’s keep working with our federal partners to win investments and roll up our sleeves to move Michigan forward.”
Job creation and advanced manufacturing are booming thanks to the IRA with plans for 173 new battery manufacturing sites, 137 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, 166 solar and wind manufacturing plants across the nation and create 312,900 jobs including 21,490 new jobs in Michigan.
“Michigan is seizing every opportunity to organize and empower our communities to secure federal funding for projects that will benefit Michiganders both today and in the future,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Our leadership in landing Inflation Reduction Act investments is a testament to the state’s creativity, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to fostering partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. These efforts are crucial for driving projects that enhance the quality of life for our residents, modernize Michigan’s infrastructure, create middle-class jobs, and usher in a clean future.”
Notable projects funded through the IRA include:
- $1.5 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Southwest Michigan.
- $156 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the MI Solar for All Program to make rooftop and community-serving solar more accessible to low-income households
- $50 million from the U.S. DOE for Nel Hydrogen to support the creation of a clean energy facility in Metro Detroit
In each of the projects, jobs are created across numerous sectors including skilled trades construction jobs, manufacturing and other sectors that will support the projects such as retail, service jobs and white collar jobs. In addition, new clean jobs that can’t be outsourced are being created.
“Creating a future for Michiganders to grow and thrive means prioritizing protecting our natural resources, confronting climate change head-on, and investing in clean energy solutions like solar and batteries,” said Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. “The Inflation Reduction Act, combined with Governor Whitmer’s landmark clean energy laws and the MI Healthy Climate Plan, has enabled Michigan to make significant strides in these areas. By leveraging federal funding opportunities, we are preserving our environment and paving the way for a more prosperous, sustainable future.”
