Energy and Environment
Michigan Agenda
- Preserving Michigan’s natural, cultural and historic resources is vital.
- Federal support is important to developing next-generation energy technologies that can protect the environment, improve national security and provide economic opportunity.
- Michigan’s National Park facilities and other natural treasures and historic resources must get the support they need.
Michiganians know that protecting the environment is vital to human health, and that we must preserve the natural beauty and resources that are important not just to our state’s identity, but to our economy. We also know that finding and developing clean sources of energy is a key to creating economic opportunity for our state, and a vital part of our national security strategy.
We must develop new energy technologies such as hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells and other options that can reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Michigan is uniquely positioned to help move our nation into an energy future that is cleaner and more secure, and this is an area where doing the right thing for the environment can also benefit Michigan workers. In addition to research support, targeted tax incentives to help these emerging technologies find a place in the market are an important first step to long-term success.
A smart energy policy must also emphasize the benefits of conservation efforts, and give families, business and government the right incentives to reduce energy usage.
As chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, I have sought to increase fairness and transparency in the trading of energy commodities. I will continue to seek ways to limit the influence of speculators who raise the price of energy for business and consumers, including passage of the Prevent Excessive Speculation Act.
Since coming to the Senate, I have worked to preserve and improve Michigan’s National Park facilities and other natural and historic resources and will continue that effort.
Related Issues
Senator Levin’s Record on Energy and Environment
- March 27, 2012 – Sens. Levin, Kirk outline Great Lakes protection programs
In letters to Senate Appropriations Committee members, Sen. Levin and Sen. Mark Kirk, co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, urge support for programs important to the Great Lakes, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and efforts to stop Asian carp and other invasive species.
- March 14, 2012 – Senate supports Sen. Levin’s approach on harbor maintenance
Sen. Levin welcomes Senate adoption of a “sense of the Senate” resolution calling on Congress to address the growing backlog of maintenance needs at the nation’s harbors, including Great Lakes harbors. The resolution, while not legally binding, adopts the approach contained in Sen. Levin’s Harbor Maintenance Act.
- Feb. 22, 2012 – Sens. Levin, Stabenow welcome reduction in trash imports from Canada
Sen. Levin and Sen. Debbie Stabenow welcome a report from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality showing that an agreement they helped negotiate in 2006 is reducing imports of Canadian trash into Michigan.
- Feb. 7, 2012 – Levin helps secure funding for Michigan harbors
Sen. Levin welcomes an Army Corps of Engineers decision to provide additional funding for harbor dredging at Holland, St. Joseph, Manistee and the Saginaw and St. Marys rivers in Michigan. The decision comes after Levin wrote to Army officials outlining urgent needs at Michigan harbors.
View more of Senator Levin’s work on Energy and Environment »
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