LANSING – Former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos said the state should not fall for "trendy" issues like renewable energy, but instead pursue economic development that in turn will boost renewable energy.
DeVos also opposed proposals that he said are led by "monopoly interests" in attempting to repeal legislation that grants electric customers choice on their utility service.
Speaking before the Michigan Energy Conference at Ferris State University, DeVos said promoting economic growth – through tax cuts and revamped regulations – will inevitably lead to more energy use.
That in turn will lead to greater use of renewable energy as companies and customers search out more efficient, reliable forms of energy.
Governor Jennifer Granholm, who easily defeated DeVos in 2006, has called for the state to adopt a renewable energy portfolio and make that part of the state's effort to reinvent its economy. Passage of an energy/utility package is considered one of the hallmarks of the last year of the 94th Legislature.
But in his remarks, DeVos said that idea is the opposite of what the state should pursue. "Michigan can't afford to waste time or energy chasing the latest trendy idea," he said.
With a stronger economy, he said, the state does not need to "be ashamed" of using more energy so long as it does so with energy and environmental conservation in mind.
He also called for separating the issues of renewable energy from the issues dealing with utility regulation in legislation now before the House Energy and Technology Committee and not promoting proposals that he said would lead to massive rate hikes.
