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Granholm Announces New Ethanol Plant, Jobs

A Massachusetts-based company that makes ethanol from wood chips will build a $250 million plant south of Sault Ste. Marie, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and company officials announced. About 50 employees will work at the plant and 500-700 jobs will be generated across the Upper Peninsula in logging, transportation and other capacities. “This is a game-changer for Michigan,” said Granholm, who has been a persistent advocate of replacing lost auto manufacturing jobs in the state with employment in the alternative energy industry. “Making bio-fuels here will mean cheaper gas for Michigan motorists.” Read more

GENERAL NEWS

Ritter, Freudenthal Discuss Politics, Energy on Meet the Press. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal discussed energy policy and other issues facing the West on Meet the Press. Watch the full netcast here

MT – Schweitzer: Economic Growth Provides Money for Education. In a column published yesterday, Gov. Brian Schweitzer discussed strengthening Montana’s schools and continued to urge investments in education. He wrote, “Education is for life. As a first-generation college graduate, I know education can change one’s life. I am grateful my parents, neither of whom graduated from high school, sent all six of their children to college. We all want our students to be competitive; we want the best teachers; and we know adequate resources for education can only come from a prosperous economy.” He continued, “Together, we must forge an education future that integrates technology and innovation with distance learning, provides more opportunities for students to be dual-enrolled in college classes while in high school, creates new opportunities in two-year higher education and emphasizes math and science. It is my firm belief that the investment we make today in the education of our children not only defines us as citizens and policymakers, but also defines the legacy we leave for them and Montana in the future.” Read more

OH – Strickland Signs Great Lakes Compact. Gov. Ted Strickland has joined five other states in ratifying an agreement aimed at protecting the Great Lakes.The Great Lakes Compact is a framework between eight states and two Canadian provinces that seeks to prevent most diversions of water from the lakes’ basin to arid states in the South and Southwest. “We will have the ability to maintain our precious natural resources and preserve and protect Lake Erie for generations to come,” Strickland said. Read more

OK – Henry Seeks Aid for Storm Damage. Gov. Brad Henry requested that President Bush grant public assistance to 24 Oklahoma counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding between June 3 and June 20. “Severe storms throughout June have caused significant damage in these counties, particularly with regard to roads, bridges and rural electric cooperatives,” Henry said. “Federal assistance is greatly needed and warranted, and I hope President Bush will act quickly to approve the request.” Read more

PA – Rendell, Legislators Reach Consensus on Budget. State lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell, flanked by state House and Senate leaders from both parties, called it “a good budget.” He says it advances the state’s infrastructure and energy needs through billions of dollars in borrowing, and added that “we continue to make progress even in a tough budget year.” The governor says the deal involves a compromise on energy policy and will result in $350 million spent this year to fix about 400 of the state’s most dangerous bridges. He says the deal will also result in $800 million going to water and sewer system upgrades over the next few years. Read more

TN – Bredesen: State Can Be a Leader on Clean Energy. In his column, Gov. Phil Bredesen discusses the challenge of rising gas prices and the opportunities for expanding alternative energy sources. He writes, “Back in February, I spent a few days with the National Governors Association in Washington. Energy was the main topic of conversation. At the time, our nation was reeling from news of $100-a-barrel oil. Now, less than four months later, that discussion seems like the good ol’ days. Today, it’s near $143 a barrel and $4 per gallon of gas. It’s the kind of ground shift that exposes the ugly realities of rising energy demand. And it signals the need for a comprehensive energy plan, in Tennessee and across the U.S.” Gov. Bredesen continues, “To sort through the challenges and opportunities, I convened the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy. I’m chairing the group’s monthly meetings, and we’ll offer a series of recommendations that will serve as the basis for new initiatives and laws in 2009. Nuclear power and renewable energy sources like solar and wind need to be part of the master plan. But when it comes to renewables, we need to change the way we think about them. The best way for Tennessee to get a handle on energy, in the short term, is to find ways to consume less.” Read more

VA – Kaine Announces Development Grants, Jobs. Gov. Tim Kaine has announced more than $10 million in Virginia Community Development Block Grant funding for 18 projects throughout 21 Virginia localities. The grants will benefit low- and moderate-income residents and will support community and economic development projects such as housing creation and rehabilitation, public water and sewer systems, downtown revitalization, broadband deployment and health care programs. “Each year the Community Development Block Grant awards address the basic needs of every Virginian housing, clean and safe water, healthcare and jobs,” Kaine said. “I am pleased to announce these grants that will improve the quality of life for citizens throughout Virginia.” Read more

WA – Gregoire Reviews State’s Progress. In a column published this past weekend, Gov. Chris Gregoire discusses major progress on the economy, education, and health care. She writes, “As your governor, I’ve spent the last four years working collaboratively with business to help ensure we have an economically diverse state with a sustainable, vibrant economy. Together, we’ve overcome some incredible challenges and achieved some amazing results.” She continued, “When I was elected, our state faced many economic challenges, including a $2.2 billion deficit and one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. But we worked together and charted a course so our state would prosper.” Read more

WV – Manchin Welcomes New Jobs. Gov. Joe Manchin was at the SW Resources plant in Parkersburg to make an economic announcement. Pepsi and Dupont are coming together to make a new product that will bring 100 new jobs to the facility. Watch the video here

WI – Doyle Launches Department of Children and Families. The launch of the state Department of Children and Families this week will mark the first time Wisconsin has had a cabinet-level focus on kids and families. One of its first initiatives is a searchable Web site with information about 5,700 licensed child-care centers and day camps around the state. Gov. Jim Doyle, who proposed the department, said it could mark an even bigger change because of the size of the programs administered by the agency. “We need to provide protection for families; we want to have less administration doing that and more actual help getting to those families and those children,” Doyle said. Read more

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