Environment

Virg Bernero is one of Michigan’s most environmentally progressive mayors and will bring a powerful commitment to protecting Michigan’s air, water and land resources as our next governor.

As Mayor of Lansing, one of Virg’s first official actions was to establish the Greater Lansing Go Green Initiative and hire the city’s first full-time environmental coordinator. At the same time he signed the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accepted the US EPA Energy Star Challenge to reduce energy usage by 10%, and issued an Executive Order requiring the City of Lansing to adopt a series of measures to conserve energy and utilize alternative, renewable resources to reduce the city’s dependence on foreign oil. He established the city’s first Renewable Portfolio Standard, setting an ambitious goal of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Virg has also worked with community leaders in Lansing to make the city more walkable and bikeable, earning Lansing national recognition.

Virg has also been a forceful and effective leader in improving the water quality of Lansing area watersheds through the city’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) separation project, which he expanded to include innovative, award winning urban rain gardens that naturally filter contaminants from storm water runoff before it can reach our rivers. He also directed the City’s Public Service Department as they sought out and remediated dozens of point source sewage outfalls that were contributing to the pollution of the Grand River.

As Governor, Virg Bernero will be a true champion for environmental issues. He will stand strong to protect our Great Lakes from water diversions, offshore or slant drilling, and invasive species like the Asian Carp. Virg understands that Michigan’s water resources are a critical part of our state’s tourism and recreational industries and it is vital that we act today to protect these irreplaceable resources for future generations. Virg will ensure that our groundwater supplies are protected from contamination and cleaned up where toxins have previously been released.

Virg will push Michigan toward a greener future by adopting a more aggressive approach to energy conservation and use of renewable resources by state government, local governments and in the private sector, just as he has in the City of Lansing. Virg will continue to support green transportation in our communities by making cities walkable and bikeable and increasing public transportation options. He will make investments in energy efficiency and will incentivize the increased use of solar and wind technologies that reduce our reliance on coal.

Michigan can and should be a leader in green technologies – in both use and production. Virg will help our state utilize our manufacturing prowess to seize the opportunity that exists for production of wind and solar technologies and the green cars of the future.

Virg understands Michigan is uniquely blessed with natural resources and beauty, and that we have a responsibility to care for and preserve our environment for future generations of Michiganders.

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I am asking my opponent to join in a bipartisan effort to support small businesses in Michigan. http://virg10.com/16S

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