Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, D-Mich., has announced a reorganization of state government that aligns all activities related to renewable energy and energy efficiency into one department in an effort to grow the energy sector and create jobs in the state.
Granholm's special advisor on renewable energy, Stanley ‘Skip’ Pruss, will serve as the CEO and director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG). He replaces Keith Cooley, who has accepted a position as CEO of NextEnergy. Cooley and NextEnergy will strategically partner with the DELEG to aggressively further the state's energy agenda.
Pruss will be responsible for promoting the use of renewable energy, the development of advanced energy technologies and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the state. He will also serve as an advisor to the governor on matters relating to renewable energy, energy efficiency and other energy matters as requested by the governor.
‘The new energy economy is, singularly, Michigan's greatest opportunity to create thousands of new jobs, attract new investment and diversify our economy,’ says Granholm. ‘By consolidating the state's energy efforts, we will create an efficient alignment of all the state's tools and resources to focus with laser-like precision on leading the nation in the new evolving energy sectors.’
The reorganization will include the No Worker Left Behind green jobs training initiatives, Michigan's new energy efficiency building code, the Public Service Commission and energy efficiency programs, the Office of Sustainability, the Renewable Fuels Commission and the State Energy Office, all of which work in tandem with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s tax incentives and attraction efforts.
SOURCE: Office of Gov. Jennifer M. Grahnolm
