Environment Michigan’s (EM) New Energy Future platform campaign capitalized on the 2006 election to show broad public support for moving Michigan beyond fossil fuels and toward a cleaner and more secure energy future.
        EM asked state candidates to endorse the New Energy Future platform, a bold plan to change Michigan’s energy path and stimulate the economy. The response was tremendous—33 candidates who signed the platform won re-election, including several in key leadership positions such as House Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit), Speaker Pro Tem Michael Sak (D-Grand Rapids) and Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek), Assistant Majority Caucus Chair Ron Jelinek (R-Berrien), and Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chairperson Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck).
        The New Energy Future platform commits lawmakers to enact visionary policies that would:

• Harness homegrown, renewable clean energy sources to produce 25% of Michigan’s electricity by 2025.
• Save energy with high-performance homes and businesses and require 10% energy use reduction for electricity and home heating by 2025.
  
• Invest in a new energy future through aggressive research and development of energy saving and renewable energy technologies and invest $5 billion over the next 10 years in energy ventures that would catapult Michigan into a national energy leader.

        The New Energy Future platform brought significant attention to energy independence issues in the 2006 election, including prompting a question at the second gubernatorial debate, a front page story in Crain’s Detroit Business and editorials across the state. With energy issues poised to be a top priority in Gov. Granholm’s second term and in the next legislative session, the platform sets Michigan on an energy path that emphasizes homegrown, clean energy as opposed to dirty, dangerous imported fossil fuels.
        EM’s efforts were part of a national campaign from a coalition of more than 250 business, labor, religious and environmental organizations. More than 180 candidates for federal office signed on to a similar platform, calling for America to move towards energy independence though commitments to renewable energy, energy conservation, oil savings and investments in energy technologies.

—Abby Rubley, Environment Michigan

Candidates who signed the platform and won on election night

Michigan Senate:
8th District         Raymond Basham
9th District         Dennis Olshove
10th District      Thomas Schaut
18th District      Liz Brater
18th District      Mark Schauer
21st District      Ron Jelinek
23rd District      Gretchen Whitmer
24th District      Patricia Birkholz
26th District      Deb Cherry
31st District      Jim Barcia

Michigan House:
6th District         Marsha Cheeks
8th District         George Cushingberry, Jr.
12th District      Steve Tobocman
13th District      Barbara Farrah
15th District      Gino Polidori
23rd District      Kathleen Law
25th District      Steven Bieda
31st District      Fred Miller
34th District      Brenda Clack
35th District      Paul Condino
37th District      Aldo Vagnozzi
49th District      Lee Gonzales
50th District      Ted Hammon
52nd District      Pam Byrnes
60th District      Robert Jones
63rd District      Lorence Wenke
68th District      Joan Bauer
69th District      Mark Meadows
76th District      Michael Sak
84th District      Terry Brown
85th District      Richard Ball
95th District      Andy Coulouris
103rd District    Joel Sheltrown