Michigan's manufacturing economy relies on affordable and stable energy prices to thrive.  Manufactures account for about one third of the nation's total energy consumption, using about 30% of the nation electricity and accounting for about 33% of the natural gas consumption.  In 2005, the House passed comprehensive energy policy designed to provide America’s job creators and manufacturers the reliable, affordable energy they to remain competitive in the world.  The energy bill creates half a million new jobs in all sectors including manufacturing and technology.

I also used my position on the Energy and Commerce Committee to include a $2 billion hydrogen fuel cell program and an ethanol mandate in the energy bill.  These provisions will invigorate the ailing U.S. auto industry and create much-needed jobs.  The hydrogen fuel cell program will create 170,000 jobs, while the ethanol mandate will create another 200,000 more.  

Hydrogen and ethanol just two of the innovative alternative fuels being developed to power America in the 21st century.   To continue the progress in the development and deployment of alternative fuels, I obtained $1 million dollars in federal funding in 2003 toward construction of a state-of-the-art Alternative Energy Initiative at Lansing Community College.