Former President Bill Clinton has endorsed Michigan's Proposal 3, the amendment that would require 25 percent of the state’s electricity to come from wind, solar, biomass or hydropower by 2025.
The proposed amendment has drawn national attention as it would be the first to mandate a renewable portfolio standard in a state constitution.
In a statement released by the pro-Prop 3 group Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs, Clinton hailed the proposal’s potential for job creation:
“Proposal 3 is Michigan’s best opportunity this year to jumpstart the state’s economy by creating 94,000 jobs and increasing the use of renewable energy,” Clinton said. “Proposal 3 invests in Michigan’s future so that it won’t get left behind by the 30 other states that are already creating new clean energy jobs and lowering consumers’ electricity costs. That’s why I’m so proud to endorse Proposal 3.”
Mark Fisk, a spokesman for Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs, says the group is proud to have Clinton’s backing, MLive reports.
“He is a huge champion of renewable energy initiatives in the United States and across the globe,” Fisk said. “Proposal 3 caught his attention and the attention of his team and he felt it important to weigh in on this proposal.”
The jobs figure cited by Clinton has been contested by groups opposing the amendment. They say the figure refers to “job years”—a term that describes full employment for a single person for one year—rather than actual, long-term jobs.
Be sure to check out Michigan Radio's coverage of all the ballot proposals here.
- Jordan Wyant, Michigan Radio Newsroom
